Suicides and Holidays

A few years ago, I was discussing suicide statistics around the holidays and, after recently watching this movie again, I decided to share it on my blog. This is what I wrote. 👇🏼

Apparently, from what I was reading earlier, the holiday time of a high suicide rate is a myth that won't go away. And, one of the biggest complaints about perpetuating this myth was blame on journalists. Hmmm....

Someone also suggested to why this myth won't go away was because it's premise has a grain of truth and the stories are meant to help people cope with the melancholy and nostalgia that some people experience at this time.

Now, that's not saying suicides don't occur during this time frame, only that, after more research, it seems to be less than other times. In 2017, the CDC ranked December as #12, with 117 suicides per day,  compared to August as #1, with 138 suicides per day. 

But, as with any newer research creating fact changes, another report that I read said that it could be due to what was left out of other reports. For instance, in one area the locals attributed the increase in suicides due to the holiday season, but when researchers looked further into the issue they discovered the local petrochemical industry tended to lay a lot of people off around the holiday season. By understanding another cause it helped address it and work on preventing suicides, as opposed to simply blaming the holidays. 

One article stated that they felt this myth began because of the movie It's A Wonderful Life. In the movie, George decides to commit suicide. It took a visiting angel, Clarence, to convince him otherwise by showing George what his town would be like if he never existed. 

All I can add to this is what I felt during the holidays when I was younger. There were times I had such strong feelings of sorrow. But, reflecting on it, putting things in perspective, I came to a conclusion that it didn't add up, which is why I could shake it off. And, because of what I know today, it's easier to walk away from negative feelings. 

Or... maybe, God sent me a Clarence to help me build a protective wall around my mind. 😇