Since 2009, articles online have been talking about how during the holiday season, there is a major increase in the rate of suicides. But this is, in fact, completely wrong. If anything, the holiday season is the time of the year where suicide rates are at their lowest.
According to Elizabeth Hilsman, the post-doctoral resident for the Office of Suicide and Violence Prevention, “rates [of suicide] tend to be lower around the holidays, they peak in the spring months and over the summer. Suicide risk is complex, and there are a number of reasons that have been hypothesized. There is not one single reason. Some of the seasonal cycles contribute to biological, clinical or mental health reasons, social reasons, economic reasons and even demographics are somewhat different.”
A study conducted in 2019 found that, during the summer months, suicide rates for ages 10-17 decreased. However, the same study found that all other age groups had higher rates of suicide during the summer months. Even if there are times of the year that have statistically high suicide rates, people should be aware of the pressures and stressors that those around them face throughout the year.
Older studies have indicated a slight increase in international suicide rates during the holidays, but these increased rates were most likely due to margins of errors rather than statistically significant increases in the international suicide rates. A study conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania found that during the 2009 holiday season, nearly 50% of the articles published about mental health perpetuated the myth that suicide rates had increased during that time of the year.
“Statistics from a population don’t necessarily predict the risk for any individual. At any time of the year, we want to be aware of the risk factors and warning signs for suicide in the people that we come into contact with,” said Hilsman. “Some of the red flags and warning signs include talking about death, making [suicidal] threats, increased substance use, untreated depression, mood changes changes in behaviors or routines, withdrawal from friends or activities or changes in eating or sleeping [patterns].”
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the red flags or warning signs mentioned above, the 24-hour National Crisis Helpline can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-Suicide. The National Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting HOME to 741741. All NSU students are also offered counseling sessions with Henderson Student Counseling Services, including individual, group and couples counseling, as well as psychiatric evaluations.
To make an appointment, call 954-424-6911; they also take walk-in appointments. Their office is located at the University Park Plaza 33440 S. University Drive, Davie, FL 33328. The NSU Psychological Services Center Clinic also offers counseling services to students who are experiencing mental or emotional health problems and can be found in the Maltz Psychology building. The Current has published several articles on mental health and suicide; to read more about the college mental health crisis check out The Current’s website: https://nsucurrent.nova.edu/.
Photo: T. Mossholder
