Historically, December has the lowest suicide death rate. Yet the myth that suicide deaths increase in the 'jolly season' persists — potentially putting people who are vulnerable at risk. abgutman explains.
To the contrary: Historically,. Yet the myth that suicide deaths increase in the “jolly season” persists — potentially putting people who are vulnerable at risk, psychologists say.
Researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania found close to 900 media references to the “holiday-suicide myth” over the past 23 years. And in only nine of those 23 years were there more stories debunking the myth than supporting it., released Monday, found that during last winter, only 25 stories made the connection between the holidays and rise in suicide, but more than half portrayed it as true.
The holidays and the end of the year can be an emotional time for people, said Dan Romer, a psychologist and research director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center. Some people might feel anxious taking stock of the past year, while others might struggle with the shorter days and Seasonal Affective Disorder. The holidays can be especially difficult for people who don’t have family to spend the occasion with.
Romer said that the holiday-suicide myth might come from a place of good intentions, wanting to help and shed light on a problem. But it can be harmful when suicide is portrayed as a popular way to solve a problem.
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