Suicide risk is highest on Mondays and sees an increase on New Year’s Day. The risk on weekends and Christmas varies depending on the region, according to a new analysis. The study, published in The BMJ, analyzed data from 26 countries worldwide.
Researchers hope their findings will help improve understanding of short-term suicide risk and inform suicide prevention plans.
The World Health Organization reports that over 700,000 people died by suicide in 2019. This accounts for 1.3% of all deaths that year. The number of suicides was higher than deaths from malaria, HIV/AIDS, and breast cancer combined.
Earlier studies have shown that suicide risk varies by the day of the week. However, the impact of major holidays on suicide risk has been inconsistent across different regions.
STUDY ANALYZES SUICIDE DATA FROM 26 COUNTRIES
To address these inconsistencies, researchers analyzed data from the Multi-city Multi-country Collaborative Research Network database. This database includes suicide data from 740 locations in 26 countries and territories, covering the years 1971 to 2019.
The analysis included data on more than 1.7 million suicides. During this period, South Korea, Japan, South Africa, and Estonia had the highest suicide rates. In contrast, the lowest rates were observed in the Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, and Paraguay.
Men were more likely to die by suicide than women across all countries. People under 65 years of age also had a higher suicide risk compared to those 65 and older.
SUICIDE RISK PEAKS ON MONDAYS
Across all countries, suicide risk peaked on Mondays. About 15-18% of all suicides occurred on this day. The pressure of returning to work may explain this increase, as the start of the week can bring stress.
WEEKEND SUICIDE RISK VARIES BY REGION
The effect of the weekend on suicide risk varied significantly by region. In many countries across North America, Asia, and Europe, suicide rates were lower on Saturdays and Sundays. However, in South and Central American countries, Finland, and South Africa, the risk of suicide increased during the weekend.
NEW YEAR’S DAY SHOWS ELEVATED SUICIDE RISK
Suicide risk increased on New Year’s Day across all countries included in the study. This spike was particularly pronounced among men. The study suggests that higher alcohol consumption and social pressures during the holiday season could be contributing factors.
CHRISTMAS DAY SUICIDE RISK VARIES BY REGION
The impact of Christmas Day on suicide rates varied between regions. In countries in Central and South America, and South Africa, there was a slight increase in suicide risk on Christmas Day. However, countries in North America and Europe saw a general decrease in suicide risk during the holiday.
LUNAR NEW YEAR AFFECTS SUICIDE RISK IN EAST ASIA
The study also looked at suicide risk during the Lunar New Year in China, South Korea, and Taiwan. Only South Korea showed a decrease in suicide risk during this holiday. Further research is needed to understand why these differences exist.
OTHER NATIONAL HOLIDAYS SHOW MIXED IMPACT ON SUICIDE RISK
On other national holidays, the risk of suicide generally decreased in many countries. However, Central and South American countries showed an increase in suicide risk one or two days after these holidays. This finding points to cultural or regional differences in how holidays impact mental health and suicide risk.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO INCREASED SUICIDE RISK
The study suggests that factors like workplace pressure, alcohol consumption, and holiday stress may contribute to the increase in suicide risk during certain times. The researchers call for further investigation into these factors to better understand their role in suicide risk.
STUDY LIMITATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
The study acknowledges several limitations. For example, in some countries, suicide data may be under-reported or misclassified. Additionally, the study was unable to assess the impacts of specific holidays, like festivals or memorial days, on suicide risk by country.
Despite these limitations, the findings offer valuable global evidence on suicide risk. The data can help inform more targeted suicide prevention programs that focus on specific holidays and days of the week.
IMPLICATIONS FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAMS
The study’s findings have important implications for suicide prevention strategies. Knowing that suicide risk peaks on Mondays and New Year’s Day can help governments and health organizations develop targeted prevention plans.
Raising awareness and increasing support services during these high-risk periods could save lives. Prevention programs could also focus on helping people manage holiday stress and workplace-related pressures.
