Some myths die hard. For example, isolation and unhappiness during the end-of-year holidays are believed to be responsible for an increase in the number of suicides during this period. An assertion without any basis which can have serious consequences for vulnerable people.
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Perhaps you have already heard, during a conversation or a family dinner, that the suicide rate during the end-of-year holidays is increasing. This phenomenon has a name, the “ Christmas blues » and regularly makes the headlines. Yes, but here it is: the suicide rate during the end-of-year holidays is not increasing! To prove it, theAnnenberg School for Communication from the University of Pennsylvania began analyzing data on the number of people who died by suicide. In their study, the scientists came to the following conclusion: in 2021, the average number of suicide deaths per day in the United States was lower in January and December. In fact, these two months were even among those with the lowest number of suicides: January reached the 10e place and december, the 12e ! The first being occupied by the month of August. Enough to sweep away a preconceived idea firmly anchored in people’s minds, and which can have serious consequences.
Did you know ?
If you experience significant discomfort, distress or suicidal thoughts, do not stay alone: contact a loved one, a doctor or the emergency room. You also have the option of calling 3114, accessible 24/7, free of charge, throughout France. It will allow you to speak with a health professional who will listen to you and advise you.
Suicide, a contagious disease?
At issue: the “contagious” nature of the suicide attempt. “At the individual level, being exposed to suicide would increase the risk of committing suicide by 2 to 4 times, alerts the Ministry of Health. At the collective level, examples of serial suicides in institutions (hospitals, businesses, prisons, schools, etc.), trades (police, army, doctors, etc.) or places at risk (railways, bridges , cliffs, forests, etc.) are common. » And the media have a role to play in this phenomenon, explains the Papageno Program, headed by the Hauts-de-France Regional Federation for Research in Psychiatry and Mental Health. This is called the Werther effect. “that is to say the effect by which media coverage of a suicidal event risks inducing an increase in suicide through a phenomenon of imitation among vulnerable people. » On the contrary, articles dealing with the issue from an enlightened angle could prevent certain suicidal behaviors: this is what we call the Papageno effect!
