'Less than one in four of the #suicides registered so far in 2020 had a date of death that was also in 2020'
#LockdownHarms #MentalHealth #CoronersReports #SuicideDataIssues

ONS Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) to Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2020 provisional data #England #lockdowns

'Quarter 2 (Apr to June) of 2020, 5.3% of 845 #suicides registered in the period occurred in same period (45 deaths), with remaining deaths occurring in first quarter of 2020 (43.7% or 369 deaths) or prior to 2020 (51.0% or 431 deaths).' #SuicideDataIssues #LockdownHarms

'845 #suicides reg'd in the 2nd quarter of 2020 lowest number of any quarter since 2001, when time series reported for statistical release begins.

Numbers should be interpreted with caution. Likely lower number of suicides registered this period reflects impact of #Covid19'

'When looking at the average number of deaths registered in each week of the month in 2020 (see Table 1), there is a clear reduction in the number of deaths registered in the second quarter.' #Suicide #LockdownHarms #Covid19 #SuicideDataIssues

'It is likely lowering standard of proof will result in an increased number of deaths recorded as #suicide, possibly creating discontinuity in our time series.

Whenever change in suicide rates occurs, reasons are complex and rarely because of one factor alone.' #LockdownHarms

'In England, deaths caused by suicide investigated by coroners; investigation, known as "inquest", can take months & sometimes years. Amount of time takes to complete inquest creates a "registration delay", which is a lag between date of death and the date of death registration.'

'Despite reg delays, publication of #suicide stats by reg year enables figures to be published in timely manner. Alternative would be publish stats based on year which death occurred. This would delay publication, cause repeated revisions to historical data..'

Bearing in mind all of the above, when I saw this tweet from an Epidemiologist. I thought I might get some clarity on the topic.

Never got a reply. He must have been really busy..

@threadreaderapp unroll please