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[Fluctuations and seasonality in suicidal attempts]
Andrzej Polewka1, Beata Szkolnicka, Dorota Targosz
1Klinika Psychiatrii Dorosłych, Collegium Medicum, Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego w Krakowie.
Przeglad Lekarski
|November 4, 2004
Summary
Suicide attempts show seasonal patterns in females, peaking in spring and autumn, while males show no seasonal trends. Both genders attempt suicide most often in the evening, particularly on Sundays and Mondays.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Clinical Toxicology
- Epidemiology of Mental Health
Context:
- Analyzes temporal patterns of suicide attempts in Krakow, Poland, from 2000-2002.
- Examines 2757 suicide attempts across diverse age groups (14-90 years), with 1607 females and 1150 males.
- Investigates fluctuations in suicide attempts based on time of day, day of week, and month.
Purpose:
- To determine seasonality and temporal fluctuations in suicide attempts.
- To identify differences in suicide attempt patterns between males and females.
- To inform suicide prevention strategies by highlighting high-risk periods.
Summary:
- Female suicide attempts exhibit seasonality, peaking in spring/early summer and autumn (October-November).
- Male suicide attempts show no significant seasonal variation; Monday is the peak day.
- Both sexes attempt suicide most frequently in the evening/early night; Sundays and Mondays are peak days for females.
Impact:
- Findings are crucial for optimizing crisis intervention center operations and timing.
- Raises awareness among therapists and families about heightened suicide risk periods.
- Contributes vital data for global suicide prevention and treatment initiatives, aligning with WHO/EURO research.