Changes in Workers' Suicide Rates Before (2017-2019) and During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2021) by Industry and Occupation, National Violent Death Reporting System, 29 States.

Abstract

To assess changes in suicide rates during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the previous 3 years according to occupation and industry. Mortality rates using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System were calculated and compared according to occupation and industry for the 3 years before the COVID-19 Pandemic (2017-2019) and the first 2 years of the pandemic (2020-2021). There were significant increases in mortality rates for workers in Personal Care and Service and Farming, Fishing, and Forestry occupations. In adjusted models, workers in Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance and Construction and Extraction also had significant increases in mortality rates. Further research should examine the factors that may have contributed to increases, including differential risk for COVID-19 and increases in unemployment during the pandemic.