Are There More Suicides During Holidays?

The weather is frightful, the relatives are less-than-delightful, the plaid scarf from Aunt Ruby was an obvious re-gift from last year, and, in general, melancholy moods can abound. But contrary to what many of us think, suicides are ACTUALLY more common, worldwide, during times of the year that are warmer and sunnier. According to a body of published studies by statisticians, who’ve examined hundreds of thousands of suicides in the United States and around the world, the number of suicides goes DOWN, not up, over the holiday season, by as much as 40%! According to a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, this may be because it’s easier to repress “troublesome” thoughts during times of greater social interaction. An interesting fact that DID emerge during the Mayo Clinic study, was that suicides are MOST likely to occur early in the week, and LEAST common during weekends.