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

Background: The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on other aspects of public health and social life are still being studied globally. Aim: To determine the relationship between COVID-19 and suicide deaths in Türkiye. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.