Suicide and Self-Harm: Bereaved Families Count the Costs of Lockdowns - The New York Times - 0 views
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But as lockdowns in Britain dragged on and no job emerged, the young man grew cynical and self-conscious
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He and his mother contracted the coronavirus in January, forcing them to quarantine in their small London apartment for over two weeks. Concerned by things he was saying, friends raised the alarm and referred him to mental health services.
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“He just sounded so deflated,” his sister said of their last conversation, adding that he said he felt imprisoned and longed to go outside.
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there is a tally that experts say is harder to track: the psychological toll of months of isolation and global suffering, which for some has proved fatal.
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Mental health experts say prolonged symptoms of depression and anxiety may prompt risky behaviors that lead to self-harm, accidents, or even death, especially among young people.
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the psychological fallout of the pandemic could unfold for months, or even years, public health officials say, with young people among the most affected.
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“But the job market is going to be constrained, and opportunities to build your life are going to be slimmer.”
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“They may be tempted to consume more drugs or drink more alcohol, and may have less physical activity, all of which can contribute to symptoms of depression, anxiety and poor sleep.”
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‘Depressed? I don’t know what depressed is, I don’t think I am. I feel bored, but I don’t feel depressed,’”
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Mr. Remmers said his son’s death was caused by a combination of carbon monoxide poisoning and drugs.
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But the pandemic, he added, “provided a context in which things become possible, and which may have otherwise not happened.”
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It is unclear, the organization says, whether this is a sign of more people experiencing more suicidal thoughts or symptoms of mental health issues, or if people now feel more comfortable reaching out for help.
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“It’s OK for a young child to fall over and let their parents know that their knee hurts,” Ms. Arkwright said. “This same attitude needs to be extended to mental health.”