Suicide Prevention Line Calls Increase by 40% Amid Coronavirus

Calls made to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline have increased significantly as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps the world, according to WellSpace Health, a company that operates the Sacramento region’s largest crisis center and answers calls.

WellSpace Health, which saw a 40 percent spike in calls between February and March, said they answered 4,713 suicide and crisis calls in March, compared to 3,375 calls in February.

“It’s an anxiety-provoking time. Everyone is bracing for an impact that they don’t know what it’s going to be like,” said WellSpace Chief Executive Officer Dr. Jonathan Porteus.

Porteus went on to explain that during this time, people are feeling helpless, which can later translate into suicidal thoughts or self-harm.

“We all have fears and don’t like ambiguous situations, and this is one of them,” Porteus explained.

“You know, we think of it like a wave coming towards us and we’re all going to dive straight into the wave,” Porteus continued. “And we’re all going to have an experience going through it and the majority of us are going to come out.”

Porteus maintained that it is important to partake in any type of safe, social activity due to the fact that humans are social by nature.

“We’re social animals,” Porteus concluded. “We need to connect in whatever way we can, through FaceTime, through waving to each other through the window. Any way that we can spend time in a relationship with others is kind of life-giving right now.”

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has stated that demanding people not leave their homes would hinder the mental health of residents in certain states.

“We are a connected community. There’s just that side of it as well,” Reynolds said in regards to stay-at-home orders. “In addition to suicides and domestic abuse, there are a lot of downsides to it as well.”

To reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, call 1-800-273-8255 or text “HOPE” to 916-668-4226. Both services can be reached for free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.