Globally, Suicide Risk Increased on Certain Days of the Week, Holidays
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Oct. 28, 2024 -- Suicide risk is highest on Mondays and increases on New Year's Day in most countries, according to a study published online Oct. 23 in The BMJ.
Whanhee Lee, Ph.D., from Pusan National University in Yangsan, South Korea, and colleagues assessed short-term temporal variations in suicide risk by the day of the week and national holidays in multiple countries. The analysis included data from 740 locations in 26 countries and territories (between 1971 and 2019), collected from the Multi-city Multi-country Collaborative Research Network database.
The researchers found that Mondays had peak suicide risk during weekdays across all countries. In many countries in North America, Asia, and Europe, suicide risks were lowest on Saturdays or Sundays. However, in South and Central American countries, Finland, and South Africa, the risk increased over weekends. There were strong increases seen in suicide risk on New Year's Day in most countries, but the evidence for increased risk on Christmas Day was weak. There was a weak decrease for suicide risk on other national holidays, except for Central and South American countries, where the risk generally increased one or two days after these holidays.
"The results of this study can help to better understand the short-term variations in suicide risks and define suicide prevention action plans and awareness campaigns," the authors write.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted October 2024
Read this next
Increases in Local Violence Tied to Higher Subsequent Suicide Rates
FRIDAY, Aug. 1, 2025 -- At the county level, increases in homicide rates are linked to higher suicide rates the following year, according to a study published online July 29...
People With Eating Disorders Report Success Self-Medicating With Non-Rx Drugs
FRIDAY, Aug. 1, 2025 -- People with eating disorders report success with self-medicating with nonprescribed drugs instead of prescription antidepressants, according to a study...
Teen Tobacco Product Use Tied to Worse Mental Health
WEDNESDAY, July 30, 2025 -- Adolescents who use tobacco products are significantly more likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety than teens who do not use tobacco...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.