Evaluating the relationship between COVID-19 and suicide deaths in Türkiye

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on other aspects of public health and social life are still being studied globally.

To determine the relationship between COVID-19 and suicide deaths in Türkiye.

This retrospective, descriptive study collected and analysed suicide data for 2019-2023 from the Turkish Statistical Institute to evaluate the causes of the suicide deaths. Chi-square test was used to evaluate the statistical significance of the observed differences. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Between 2019 and 2023, a total of 19 659 suicide deaths were documented in Türkiye. The number of suicides increased during the period, with the highest increases recorded in 2019/2020 and 2020/2021. The majority of the cases (76.4% of all cases, P < 0.001) were men. Reasons given for the suicide were illness, family incompatibility, economic problems, business failure, emotional relationship and not marrying the desired person, educational failure, and others.

Fear, social isolation, the prevailing situation, and measures taken to control COVID-19 may have contributed to the increases in suicide deaths during the peak pandemic period in Türkiye. There is a need for strategies to help prevent suicide deaths during health emergencies and pandemics.