Suicide risk is highest on this day of the week, a new 50-year study shows

A study of more than 1.7 million suicides conducted over nearly five decades in several countries found an increase in suicides on Mondays, according to new findings that also showed a similar increase in cases on New Year’s Day.

The study’s results also showed that the perceived link between holidays and suicide was weak overall and appeared to vary significantly by country or region. The authors of the new study say their work could help individuals, governments and organizations better target efforts to help people experiencing mental health crises and their families.

“The findings provide new scientific evidence on a global scale that could help develop more targeted suicide prevention and response programs based on holidays and day of the week,” they write.

A 50-year study found an increased risk of suicide, possibly as a result of the broken promise effect

The study analyzed suicide data available in the Multi-City Multi-country Collaborative Research Network database. This included data collected on suicides from 740 locations in 26 countries, dating from 1971 to 2019. In total, the team investigated just over 1.7 million cases.

Although some previous research had found links between Thanksgiving and Christmas that showed lower suicide rates during those holidays, researchers found that the link occurred mainly in North America and Europe.

“Multiple studies conducted in European countries and the United States have shown that end-of-year holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas, were associated with fewer suicides or suicidal intentions,” the study authors explain. However, they note, “several other studies have found no strong association between suicide and the holidays.”

The team found that the previously observed decline in weekend suicides was on track, with noticeable declines occurring on Saturdays and Sundays. The same effect occurred on public holidays such as Memorial Day.

While there was no immediately obvious explanation for the drop in weekend suicides, the authors point out that previous researchers have proposed a phenomenon called the “broken promise” effect. According to the study’s authors, this theory suggests that “individuals may postpone committing suicide in hopes of a ‘new beginning’ when the cycle ends (e.g. on weekends or at the end of the year).

However, the data also showed that this effect not only disappeared after the weekend, but increased significantly, especially on Mondays. Compared to other weekdays, the suicide rate on Mondays averaged between 15% and 18%. The study found a similar cycle on an annual basis, showing that year-end tax cuts sometimes seen in Western countries during the holiday season were completely eliminated and even slightly reversed on New Year’s Day.

According to the researchers, the increase in suicide rates on Monday and New Year’s Day may represent a reverse broken promise effect, in which “people may be susceptible to suicidal reactions when they encounter feelings of hopelessness around a new cycle (e.g., Monday and New Year’s Day). Year).”

Scientists warn, however, that many associations are more regional than global. For example, overall suicide rates were lowest on Saturdays and Sundays in North America, Asia and Europe. However, the numbers increased over the weekend in South and Central American countries, Finland and South Africa.

Men commit suicide more often than women

The team’s analysis found several other significant correlations by country, gender and region. For example, suicide rates over the five decades covered by the study were highest in South Korea, Japan, South Africa and Estonia. On the other hand, rates were lowest in the Philippines, Brazil, Mexico and Paraguay.

In all counties and territories studied, the team found that suicides were more common in men than women, and were also more common in people aged 64 and younger compared to those aged 65 and over. The increase in suicide rates among men was even more pronounced on New Year’s Day than those for women.

It is worth noting that the overall protective effect of the holidays was different in countries such as China, Taiwan and South Korea, where residents celebrate the Lunar New Year. In these countries, only South Koreans saw discounts during the holidays.

As previously noted, suicide rates on Christmas Day were generally lower in North America and Europe. However, the study authors found a slight increase in suicide rates on Christmas Day in South and Central American countries. The same pattern emerged over the weekend, with most countries showing declines except for South and Central American countries, where rates rose slightly.

Assist in planning and preparing mental health interventions

In its summary, the team warns that the data collected is compelling but inconclusive. For example, previous research supporting the broken promise effect had several limitations. According to the study’s authors, the conclusions of these studies “were based primarily on Western cultures, and no multiregional study could provide comparative results across lifestyles and cultures with a unified analytical framework.”

Still, they note that the dataset, which spans several decades and covers much of the globe, is compelling and could be a tool for organizations and policymakers when planning information programs to help prevent suicide.

“The results of this study may help to better understand short-term differences in suicide risk and to define suicide prevention action plans and awareness campaigns,” they conclude.

The study “Association of holidays and days of the week with suicide risk: a multi-country, two-stage, time series study” was conducted published IN BMJ.

“988” Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (from USA.Gov): If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or is in emotional distress, contact the 988 suicide and crisis emergency hotline immediately. Trained crisis workers are available for calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Christopher Plain is a science fiction and fantasy writer and the lead science writer at The Debrief. Follow and connect with him X, discover his books on plainfiction.comor write to him directly at [email protected].