Content warning: This press release discusses suicide and self-harm.
Researchers found suicide risk varies by day of the week and holiday, with certain days correlating to higher risk globally. They used data from 1971 to 2019 and from 740 locations in 26 countries, collected from the Multi-City Multi-Country Collaborative Research Network database to assess short term variations in suicide risk related to the day of the week and national holidays. They found Mondays and New Year’s Day universally correlated with elevated risk, whereas weekends and other public holidays, or the days after them, varied by region. These findings could help both individuals and mental health professionals.
Every year, millions of people the world over suffer the loss of someone due to suicide. In 2019 alone, over 700,000 lives were lost to suicide, according to the World Health Organization, and it ranks as the fourth-biggest killer amongst 15- to 29-year-olds, ahead of even malaria. The factors behind one’s reason for suicide are known to be various, ranging from individual to social factors. But it has also been known for some time that certain time patterns seem to affect suicide rates.
“Our study examines how the risk of suicide varies by day of the week and compares holidays, such as New Year’s Day, Christmas and national holidays, to regular days,” said Associate Professor Yoonhee Kim from the Department of Global Environmental Health at the University of Tokyo. “We found that Mondays and New Year's Day were associated with a higher risk of suicide in most countries, likely due to increased stress corresponding to the start of new cycles. However, the risk on Christmas was generally less pronounced and varied across regions. Other national holidays, aside from New Year's Day and Christmas, were generally linked to a lower risk of suicide.”
Previous studies on this very sensitive topic mainly focused on individual countries, and typically Western cultures. However, Kim and her team felt inspired to perform a study that compares results across global regions with different lifestyles and cultures using a consistent method — their logic being, by applying a consistent approach across multiple countries, it could provide clearer, more directly comparable results. For example, suicide risks were lower on weekends in many countries in North America, Asia and Europe, but increased in South and Central American countries, Finland and South Africa.
“We hypothesize this may be linked to differing weekend drinking cultures, though further studies are needed because other factors, such as religion and work conditions, might also play a role,” said Kim.
Although their findings provide novel scientific evidence from an international perspective, this is an observational study with several limitations. The team hopes further studies, including those more in depth and with broader interdisciplinary clinical aspects will be conducted to validate findings. The study also considers only a selection of locations within a selection of countries; but despite this, the results have important implications for suicide studies and relevant public health policies.
“We must be aware of temporal fluctuations in risk and pay close attention to them. This awareness is crucial not only for vulnerable populations, but also for those working in mental health services,” concluded Kim. “By recognizing periods of higher risk, such as around certain days of the week and holidays, both individuals and mental health professionals can take preventive actions, provide timely support and create a safer environment for the vulnerable.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, free help and support is available:
春雨直播app students can find mental health resources at the and the International Student Support Room in English, Chinese and Japanese. / 東京大学の学生は、と留学生支援室でメンタルヘルスに関する英語、中国語、日本语の情報や資料を入手することができます。
Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL) provides free and anonymous English-language crisis counseling for people in Japan via phone at 03-5774-0992:
Yorisoi Hotline offers free consultations about any problem in and foreign languages via , Facebook messenger and phone at 0120-279-338. For foreign languages, press 2 after the recorded message for a consultation in , , , , , , , , or . / 「よりそいホットライン」では、日本语や外国語で、チャットや Facebook メッセンジャー、電話（0120-279-338）により、無料で悩みを相談できます。外国語（英語?中国語?韓国語?タガログ語?ポルトガル語?スペイン語?タイ語?ベトナム語?ネパール語?インドネシア語）でのご相談は、録音メッセージをお聞きになった後、2番を押してください。
Befrienders International provides confidential support to people in emotional distress or crisis / 国際ビフレンダーズは、精神的苦痛や危機的状況に陥っている方々に匿名での相談を提供します:
A list of helplines around the world / 世界各国のホットライン?電話相談サービスのリスト:
In an emergency, please dial / 緊急の場合は電話してください: 119 to call an ambulance or the fire department; or 110 to call the police (Japan only)/ 119番：救急車や消防車、110番：警察（日本国内用）
