Rising suicide rates

It’s that time of year again...

Oh yes Christmas is great, if you have a family and kids and people to come around and see you or vice versa, but it is the most depressing time for many.

That sudden reminder of what they don’t have, of what they haven’t changed this year, of what could have been if only they hadn’t had their family.

However it is frequently reported that suicide rates go down over Christmas

http://www.nowpublic.com/health/suicide-rates-rise-during-christmas-season-true-or-false the notion of increased depression during the Christmas season is a myth. Suicide rates actually decrease over the Holidays
Continue reading at NowPublic.com: Suicide Rates Rise During Christmas Season - True or False? | NowPublic News Coverage http://www.nowpublic.com/health/suicide-rates-rise-during-christmas-season-true-or-false#ixzz1hBTmObBJ

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1726490/pdf/v021p00716.pdf Although the papers presented show a mix of suicide and parasuicide statistics it is apparent that there is a general trend for such events to reduce in December and in particular around the days preceding Christmas day

 

However the second article also commented that

The perception of many is that rates go up around Christmas. This has resulted in a greater awareness and access to services at this time. It is an interesting question to ponder whether the reductions seen here are attributable to an overall reduction in need, or the effectiveness of available help services

And given that people are more aware of it, it may become less of a problem talking with people about such things too.

 In my experience Christmas affects a great many people adversely and though this may not result in a suicide or self harm they are certainly feeling much worse than at other times in the year.

But is not just Christmas that affects people mood. Things such as the recession or war can have a devastating effect on the population.

Stephen Platt, a professor at Edinburgh University who has been studying suicide behaviour for 30 years, fears a decade of unusually high suicide rates. "If you look at the research literature about suicide and economic recession, it's pretty clear that there is a relationship," he says

How can rising suicide rates be reversed in the face of cuts to mental health services?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/dec/15/suicide-rates-economy-cuts-mental-health

 

And suicide rates have been climbing.

Suicide rates in Europe 'linked' to financial crisis http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14068496

The analysis by US and UK researchers found a rise in suicides was recorded among working age people from 2007 to 2009 in nine of the 10 nations studied.

The UK saw a rise of 10% to 6.75 suicides per 100,000 people

Look at Greece for instance.

Statistics released by the Greek ministry of health show a 40% rise in those taking their own lives between January and May this year compared to the same period in 2010

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/18/greek-woes-suicide-rate-highest

However what can be done, there world is as it is? And only time will change it. I guess for me it’s knowing that it will get better but financial ruin can mean a great deal and when you’re struggling to put food on the table Christmas and its present giving can make it even worse.

But it will change and right now concentrating on getting the help you need may help you find some peace.