Christmas and Suicides in Austria

Background: Contrary to the myth that suicides increase around Christmas, multiple studies reveal that suicide rates decrease towards Christmas and return back to normal or even peak in the beginning of the new year. We aimed to replicate this effect for Austria. Methods: The analyses were based on the official suicide statistics 2000 – 2013 using Poission regression and Bayesian changepoint analysis. We also investigated changes of suicide rates during other major holidays and weekends. Seasonal effects were controlled for by using restricted control periods. Results: Suicide rates declined before Christmas and were minimal on December 24th, remained low until the end of the year, peaked on New Year’s Day, but remained at average level in New Year’s week. In contrast, suicide rates increased in the week after Easter and on Mondays/Tuesdays after weekends. No significant effects were found in the week after Whitsun and summer holidays. Conclusion: Compared to other holidays, Christmas time is clearly associated with fewer suicides in Austria, too, and may even counteract the “broken promise” effect. This finding may help clarifying common myths in suicide prevention and may enhance the proper timing of preventive efforts.