As International Survivors of Suicide Day approaches on November 22nd, new analysis of CDC data reveals a persistent and potentially harmful misconception about suicide patterns during the holiday season. Contrary to widespread belief, suicide rates actually decrease in December and rank among the lowest of the year, challenging a myth that may be diverting attention from periods of actual higher risk.
Despite significant mental health spending, suicide remains a critical public health crisis with more than 49,300 deaths in 2023 alone. Suicide ranks as the 11th leading cause of death nationally and the second leading cause for individuals aged 10-34. An estimated 1.5 million Americans attempted suicide in 2023, while 5.3% of U.S. adults reported serious suicidal thoughts in the past year.
The media plays a significant role in perpetuating the holiday suicide misconception. According to tracking by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, 58% of articles linking holidays and suicide during the 2023-2024 season perpetuated the myth, while only 42% debunked it. This pattern has embedded the false narrative in public consciousness, with four out of five adults in a 2023 survey incorrectly selecting December as the peak time for suicides.
CDC analysis of 2022 and 2023 data shows December consistently had the lowest average daily suicide rate, ranking 12th among all months. November ranked 11th and January 10th, while the highest rates occurred in spring and summer months. June, July, and August ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively. This seasonal pattern has remained consistent for decades and is observed globally, with southern hemisphere countries showing peak rates during their summer months, indicating seasonal rather than holiday-specific influences.
Beyond misinformation concerns, mental health treatment approaches face scrutiny. CDC data shows more than 1 in 10 U.S. adults took depression medication in 2023, with women (15.3%) more than twice as likely as men (7.4%) to use these prescriptions. Depression prevalence has increased 60% in the past decade, while antidepressant dispensing to adolescents and young adults rose 66.3% from 2016 to 2022, accelerating by 63.5% after COVID-19 emerged.
Research published in https://pediatrics.aappublications.org highlights concerns about medication side effects that can include suicidal thoughts. Furthermore, a 2017 Scientific American article reported that 40 years of research on suicide risk assessment found no statistical method to reliably identify high-risk patients in ways that would improve treatment outcomes.
International Survivors of Suicide Day emphasizes the importance of accurate information and evidence-based approaches to suicide prevention. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights maintains resources at https://www.cchrflorida.org for those seeking information about psychiatric drug risks and mental health alternatives. As suicide prevention efforts continue, dispelling persistent myths remains crucial for directing resources to periods and populations of greatest need.
