The December 18th suicide of my former auto mechanic came as a shock, and for me, colored the Christmas holiday celebrations with sadness. Ten days later, my niece’s co-worker committed suicide. Without any depth of thought, I connected the two suicides with the holiday season, yet the senseless death of these two people left me with two questions. Is there a link between an increase in suicides and the holidays, and if so, why?
Do Suicides Increase Around the Holidays?
The Annenberg Public Policy Center, and the Olmsted County, Minnesota study, both yielded an abundance of information on the suicide/holiday link. What I found was that suicide numbers do not increase around the holidays, and in fact, some studies indicate suicide deaths decreased around the holidays. The suicide/holiday link is a long-standing myth.
How the Suicide/Holiday Link is Disseminated
According to a media research study conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, 40 percent of articles written the 2008 through 2009 holiday season support the idea that suicides increase during the holidays.
Articles that tie suicide and holidays together point to a variety of culprits; missing deceased loved ones, financial woes, poor health, or stress. However, credible facts that support the coupling of suicide and holidays are non-existent. Instead studies show either a decreased or static suicide rate during December.
One of the most significant suicide studies done in the United States was the Olmsted County, Minnesota study. Researchers took 35 years compiling data of all completed suicides in Olmsted, based on periods three days before and three days after the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
The Olmsted study showed suicides did not increase during the holidays. Interestingly, the study also noted suicides fluctuated around the beginning of the week, and then dropped off during weekends.
So, with an abundance of factual information refuting the suicide/holiday connection, misinformation continues to make its rounds.
Holidays a Balm for Person Considering Suicide
Persons who choose suicide as a solution to their problems often suffer from depression, which can become worse with alcohol and drug abuse. Depression isolates the sufferer in a world of sadness that the holidays, like a breath of fresh air seems to chase away.
Some believe it is not the holiday itself that is the reason suicide numbers do not increase, but the holiday influx of family and friends providing a support system previously lacking.
The social aspects, as well as emotional support provided by family and friends, who have temporarily left the demands of work and/or school during the holidays, appears to have a comforting effect.
Peak Time for Completed Suicides
Studies have shown that completed suicides peak in May, the month that marks the beginning of spring; a time of renewal and hope.
For some unidentified reason those suffering from depression, spring is a suicide catalyst. An unproven school of thought is that some in the throes of depression may spiral deeper, as they see those around them greet the season with a hopeful exuberance.
Combating the Suicide/Holiday Lore
In researching the suicide/holiday link my preconceived notions were dispelled and a myth was further exposed to the light of truth. Hopefully more factual articles written on the subject. It may just save a life.
For anyone considering suicide, or who knows someone that is displaying suicidal behavior, there is help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), where counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Sources
http://www.bidmc.org/YourHealth/TherapeuticCenters/Depression.aspx?ChunkID=156980
http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/suicide/holiday.html
http://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/NewsDetails.aspx?myId=470
http://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/Downloads/Releases/ARCI_Suicide_2009/Suicide%20release%202009_final.pdf
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1995.tb09571.x/abstract
http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=156980
http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=705d5df4-055b-f1ec-3f66462866fcb4e6