The pandemic didn’t increase suicides. That shouldn’t be a surprise

Increased access to care

Although it wasn’t part of my prediction at the time, it’s clear to me now that telehealth and access to health care have played a major role in helping people through mental health issues amid the pandemic.

In an effort to keep doctors and patients safe, many states eased restrictions on telehealth, which made it significantly easier for people to access care and receive therapy — especially for mental health. But now that the pandemic is — hopefully — slowing, some states are beginning to undo some of the changes that made telehealth more accessible and return to a pre-pandemic status quo.

As expected, that’s coming with a lot of anxiety from patients and caregivers, especially in light of data that suggest patients strongly want to keep telehealth as a way to access treatment. The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, where I work, is doing about 3,000 telehealth appointments per day, up from an estimated 50 such visits a month before the pandemic, and we really don’t see that changing. Returning to prepandemic restrictions on telehealth would mean closing a lot of patients out of treatment, especially those who cannot easily access in-person treatment, which could contribute to an increase in suicides.