The restrictions applied to avoid infection with COVID-19 led to loneliness, loss of job and loss of access to health. The blocking caused a sudden economic recession, while unemployment and exacerbated poverty are factors that could have made the people think about suicide, says the study “Access to essential health services during COVID-19 pandemic” that was commissioned by the Ombudsperson’s Office, IPN reports.
The patients suffering from mental disorders cannot access care services. The effects can be more serious in countries with limited resources, such as Moldova, where the weak economic status is worsened by inadequate social support. A global survey shows the number of cases of suicide increased considerably during the quarantine period. Statistics show this rate in Moldova is high, the country ranking 40th out of 184 states (suicide rate of 13.4 per 100,000 people) alongside other former Soviet Union member states.
The phenomenon spreads among children and this is alarming. In 2014, there were recorded five cases of suicide among children, while in 2019 the figure rose to 24 cases. In three cases of suicide, the children’s age was under 13. The detection and prevention of mental health problems are within the remit of the family doctors, but these were primarily engaged in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 and many of the localities didn’t even have family doctors.
According to specialists, the population’s interest in professionals from mental health centers increased nationwide, but many people go to a private psychologist. Moldova does not yet have clear regulations concerning the work of private psychologist’s office and there is concern about the quality of the services provided by these.
Specialists in the field recommend the authorities to open psychologist’s offices at all the community mental health centers, to work out standards/regulations for the psychological support offered to the population by health workers to prevent silicide, primarily in times of a pandemic, to examine and adopt the law on the psychologist and to create a National Mental Health Center that would coordinate the activities, develop policies and stage monitoring, clinical audit and training for personnel of community mental health centers.
