West Michigan Suicide Trends During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased concern regarding the mental health of individuals navigating this public health crisis. Various risk factors for suicide have increased during the pandemic, including isolation, depression, access to firearms, substance use, and loss of employment. However, the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and suicide rates in the United States remains unclear. In this retrospective study, we examined the relationship between suicide rates and COVID-19 cases in 11 West Michigan counties. Suicide rates in the prepandemic (January 2018 to February 2020) and pandemic (March 2020 to February 2022) months were compared after adjusting for seasonal and population size effects. A mixed effects model was used to assess the impacts of local COVID-19 rates and county on the ratio of pandemic to prepandemic monthly suicide rates. The model did not find a significant effect of COVID-19 case rates on suicide rates. Although this study does not find sufficient evidence for a statistical relationship between COVID-19 cases and suicide rates in West Michigan, close surveillance should continue and public health measures should be used because of the increased risk factors for suicide associated with the pandemic.