Mental health is at greatest risk on Mondays and New Year’s Day, with higher suicide rates during these periods, according to a study published in October in the scientific journal The BMJ. For researchers, the data can help define action plans for prevention and awareness campaigns on the subject.
This was done based on the analysis of data from 26 countries available in the Multi-city Multi-country Collaborative Research Network, with information from 1971 to 2019. In total, more than 1.7 million suicides were included in the evaluation.
During the study period, the suicide rate was highest in South Korea and Japan, South Africa and Estonia, and lowest in the Philippines, Brazil, Mexico and Paraguay. In all countries, men were those with the highest rates, as well as people under 65 years of age.
The work also revealed that, in all countries, the risk of suicide was higher on Mondays, representing 15% to 18% of total cases, compared to other days of the week. The rate was lower on Saturdays or Sundays in many countries in North America, Asia and Europe. However, the risk increased during weekends in countries in South and Central America, Finland and South Africa.
In relation to New Year’s, the risk of suicide increased on the day after New Year’s Eve on all days, especially among men, while the pattern on Christmas Day varied – there were increases in countries in Central and South America, and in Africa South, but a reduced risk in countries in North America and Europe.
Pressure at work and increased alcohol consumption may be explanations
In the view of the study authors, among the possible causes for this increase in suicide risk are the pressure experienced by work at the beginning of the week and higher rates of alcohol consumption on New Year’s Day and weekends. However, more research is needed to investigate these factors, according to the researchers.
Furthermore, the authors emphasize that the findings are observational and acknowledge that there are several limitations to the study, such as possible underreported or misclassified suicide data in some countries and the inability to assess the impacts of different types of holidays (e.g., festivals or memorial days) in suicide risk by country.
On the other hand, the researchers say the findings “provide new scientific evidence on a global scale, which could help establish more targeted suicide prevention and response programs related to holidays and the day of the week.”
Note: If you need help and/or have suicidal ideation, seek free emotional support at the Life Valorization Center (CVV). It is possible to talk to one of the volunteers for free, anonymously and confidentially, via Call 188 (available 24 hours a day throughout Brazil), via , via or directly at one of the service points. Check the addresses.
