The impact of the global COVID‐19 pandemic on risk factors for suicide in healthcare workers: A narrative review

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundSuicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. Worldwide, over 700,000 people die by suicide each year. Healthcare workers are more vulnerable to suicide risk factors than the general population. The global COVID‐19 pandemic presents additional workplace and health concerns that relate to suicide risk factors in healthcare workers. It is important to recognise suicide risk factors in healthcare workers and to implement strategies to reduce these risk factors.ObjectivesThis study describes the impact of the global COVID‐19 pandemic on risk factors for suicide in healthcare workers and identifies evidence‐based strategies and resources to reduce suicide risk factors in healthcare workers.DesignThe authors conducted a thematic analysis and narrative review of the literature.MethodsUsing health science databases, the authors searched the literature, selected and analyzed studies, identified themes, synthesised findings and created a narrative review. The STROBE checklist was used in this study.ResultsTwo themes were identified (1) The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on work‐related suicide risk factors in healthcare workers; (2) The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on mental health‐related suicide risk factors in healthcare workers. The pandemic has affected suicide risk factors in healthcare workers. Many studies discussed evidence‐based strategies and resources that can be used to reduce suicide risk factors.ConclusionThe global COVID‐19 pandemic has negatively impacted suicide risk factors in healthcare workers. It is time for individuals and healthcare delivery systems to implement suicide risk prevention strategies to protect healthcare workers now and in the future.Relevance to Clinical PracticeThis review increases awareness of the pandemic's impact on healthcare workers' risk factors for suicide and identifies evidence‐based suicide risk prevention strategies and resources for healthcare workers.Patient or Public ContributionLibrary services supported this research by generating search strategies and providing resources and tools.