peak times for suicide risk have been identified in a global study.
Garfield the feline might have had a point about hating Mondays. Recent investigations examining various nations globally discovered that the risk of committing suicide is highest on Mondays compared to other days of the week, and this trend also appears on New Year's Day.
Suicide is a multifaceted issue that can affect anyone. Numerous factors have been identified as possible influences on an individual's risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts and engaging in self-harm. Some research hinted at the calendar's timing as a contributing factor, but it was unclear which specific days and dates could determine suicidality. In this new study, published in The BMJ on a Wednesday, a large squad of researchers delved into the relevant data.
Analyzing suicide mortality statistics from 740 localities and regions in 26 nations spanning 1971 to 2019, the scientists uncovered some universal patterns. While suicide rates and timing varied across regions, one common trend emerged: suicides were most likely to occur on Mondays, with approximately 15-18% of suicides taking place on workdays. Furthermore, suicide risk consistently increased on New Year's Day, regardless of the country. The risk of suicide over the weekend and on major national holidays like Christmas was more inconsistent, with an increase in some countries and a decrease in others.
“Our findings offer empirical evidence for the temporal fluctuations in suicide, taking into account the influence of underlying vulnerable states, suicidal thoughts, and behaviors as well as short-term psychological changes stemming from adjustments to environment before, during, and after holidays and weekends,” the researchers wrote.
While this study relies on observational data, which cannot definitively establish a cause-and-effect relationship between suicide risk and any factor, including the calendar, earlier research has suggested that Mondays specifically can significantly impact individuals' suicidal tendencies. Some theorize that this might be due to a phenomenon called the "broken-promise effect," in which people delay their suicide, anticipating a holiday or weekend, only to feel profound disillusionment when the time off falls short of expectations. The shift to a new workweek might also hit individuals at risk of suicide particularly hard, as they grapple with work-related stress. As for New Year's, excessive alcohol consumption associated with celebrations is likely a significant factor.
The researchers believe their findings can contribute to more effective suicide prevention strategies. For instance, if suicide risk spikes everywhere on New Year's, public service announcements advertising support services could be a valuable resource for individuals experiencing ideation in the lead-up.
“Our results offer epidemiological evidence to develop more comprehensive action plans for suicide prevention and administrative support for improving mental health in workers and younger generations (eg, preemptive screening and psychological support programs), potentially making a significant contribution to reducing suicide events related to weekdays and holidays,” they concluded.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to 741-741 to connect with a crisis volunteer via the Crisis Text Line.
The study also found that the risk of suicide significantly increases on New Year's Day, which could be attributed to excessive alcohol consumption during celebrations. Furthermore, advances in future technology and health science could potentially develop more effective suicide prevention strategies, such as preemptive screening and psychological support programs.
