One of the more persistent myths about the end-of-year holidays is that suicides rise during this period. According to a recently completed analysis of news reporting during last year’s holiday period, there was renewed repetition of this myth in newspaper reporting. The analysis, released by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, shows that about half of the articles written during last year’s holiday season that made a direct connection to the season perpetuated the myth.
The fact is that the rate of suicide in the U.S. is lowest in December and peaks in the spring and fall.
“Although there has been a drop in press support of the myth since 1999, it is disappointing to see that so many stories continue to reinforce the myth,” said Dan Romer, the director of Annenberg’s Adolescent Risk Communication Institute, which conducted the study. “Reporters who make the link should realize that they are making a connection that just doesn’t exist.”
Read the December 8, 2008 press release here: http://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/Downloads/Releases/Release_HolidaySuicide/suiciderelease%202008%20with%20tables.pdf
While suicidal thoughts should be taken seriously at any time of year, there’s no reason to think that this month is especially dangerous.
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