Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Myths About Suicide and Depression

Suicides peak during holidays

Myth

"There is a time of year when suicides are more common," says Marcia Valenstein, MD, research scientist at the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research & Development Service. "But it's not when everyone thinks."

Most people think the winter holidays are a risky time, but suicides are lowest in December and peak in the spring.

It's not clear why, but it could be due to changing levels of natural light. "It could be that they have more energy to attempt suicide," says Dr. Valenstein, who is also an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan Depression Center, in Ann Arbor.

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