Pandemic lockdowns did not cause increase in suicides, research shows

Researchers have confirmed suicide rates did not increase in more than 20 countries affected by pandemic lockdowns, with suggestions the social safety nets put in place may have helped to keep rates from rising.

In the early days of the pandemic, mental health experts and advocacy groups warned there was a risk of increased suicide rates due to at-risk people being isolated from their regular support networks, as well as widespread job losses due to shutdowns.

However, preliminary figures in Australia have found that across all states the suicide rate was not changed and in some cases actually went down compared to previous…