Trends in Suicide Behaviors in Valladolid During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2018-2023)

Objectives: The present study is conducted with the aim of analyzing trends in suicide deaths (SDs) and suicide attempts (SAs) from the years before the pandemic to the end of it. Methods: Using data on SDs and SAs collected from the Institute of Legal Medicine and the University Clinical Hospital of Valladolid, respectively, monthly incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated, and trends were subsequently analyzed using the Joinpoint software. Results: SAs maintained the previous downward trend during the first months of the pandemic, began to increase after the first year, and stabilized a few months after the end of the pandemic. In contrast, SDs showed a pattern of stability. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, SAs increased significantly, indicating an impact on the mental health of the population. However, this impact did not translate into an increase in SDs. More research is needed to understand the different variables involved in the development of suicide behaviors.