Suicide Risk Highest in the Spring

Many people relate the holiday season as the time when people become suicidal. There is a connection between depressed mood and dark winter days. poor economic times and family problems. I would suggest that the holiday season is the highest risk for substance abuse and relapse. However, and this may come as a surprise, but this time of year has the highest risk of suicide. Yes, its the Spring. Picture someone who is depressed and attributes it to the winter blues, or seasonal depression. As Spring comes around things begin to grow and renew, there is relief and renewed hope for fun and activities. Seasonal depression sufferers can come out of their sadness and find renewed hope. The depressed person may not come out of their blues or depressed state and feel that "everything is growing but me." They see their depression as more severe than simply dark winter days and can become more despondent and hopeless. Fearing that they will never feel better they may contemplate suicide. This time of year there is a rise of emergency room visits and psychiatric hospitalization due to suicide thoughts and those who have attempted to harm themselves. The national hotline for suicide prevention is 1-800-273- TALK. If you know of someone who has contemplated suicide they need to be taken to the nearest emergency room of your local hospital for evaluation. All suicidal thoughts or statements must be taken seriously. It is a cry for help.