Discussion Suicide Satistics on New Year's Day /The Pressure of Midnight

[Blueberry Panic]

New Year's is often talked about like a fresh start, but for a lot of people it's the opposite...it's seen as the finish line.
Research has shown that the number of successful suicides are higher around New Year's Day compared to other holidays.
It isn't just about the day itself, but how much this pattern increases every year. More and more people are talking about feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or left behind when the calendar flips. Expectations rise, support doesn't always follow, and silence fills the gaps leading to suicide.

In terms of numbers, studies show that about 0.39% of annual suicides occur on New Year's Day, compared with 0.23–0.27% on other major holidays like Christmas or Halloween. In some datasets, the risk of suicide on New Year's Day is approximately 33% higher than on a regular day. These patterns are observed across multiple countries and over decades, suggesting that this is persistent and widespread .
The turning of the calendar can amplify feelings of failure, loneliness, and despair. The pressure to "start fresh" or measure up to societal expectations can feel unbearable.

 

[sashashutup]

jumping off while seeing the fireworks would be beautiful

 

[ericharrisisgod]

jumping off while seeing the fireworks would be beautiful

nice pfp. I agree.

 

[girl from mars]

it's such an interesting statistic.

I would also like to add that suicide rates also tend to be the highest during the late spring months. my theory as to why that happens is similar to your reasoning of the idea of "a new start." there's more sunshine, flowers blooming, green leaves appearing on trees... it can make someone feel so behind

 

[Blueberry Panic]

it's such an interesting statistic.

I would also like to add that suicide rates also tend to be the highest during the late spring months. my theory as to why that happens is similar to your reasoning of the idea of "a new start." there's more sunshine, flowers blooming, green leaves appearing on trees... it can make someone feel so behind

Absolutely correct, out of all the seasons spring does have the most suicides. But specifically the two months with the most are July and August.

 

[wordsoutb4sumnelsin]

Yeh, we're kinda simple creatures in some ways.
Psychology around beginnings, ends, transitions... Ah,

Absolutely correct, out of all the seasons spring does have the most suicides. But specifically the two months with the most are July and August.

Yep, likely at least partly due to seasonal transition, and I's say certainly weather/temperature being a factor as well. Tho July and August are also around when schools at least here in the US start back up, for example. Science and stats can be interesting. Plenty down to even money behind funding can be factors.

IDK, I've been feeling the pull around these holidays myself. Kinda glad, if anything to have reasons to buck trends, with the other silly human instinct to want to "be different, non-mainsteam" or whatever... Lol I recall feeling relatableness to the "hipster", but as more of a "gangster", na had to go my own way, do my own "ganagta shit"

 

[monetpompo]

New Year's is often talked about like a fresh start, but for a lot of people it's the opposite...it's seen as the finish line.
Research has shown that the number of successful suicides are higher around New Year's Day compared to other holidays.
It isn't just about the day itself, but how much this pattern increases every year. More and more people are talking about feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or left behind when the calendar flips. Expectations rise, support doesn't always follow, and silence fills the gaps leading to suicide.

In terms of numbers, studies show that about 0.39% of annual suicides occur on New Year's Day, compared with 0.23–0.27% on other major holidays like Christmas or Halloween. In some datasets, the risk of suicide on New Year's Day is approximately 33% higher than on a regular day. These patterns are observed across multiple countries and over decades, suggesting that this is persistent and widespread .
The turning of the calendar can amplify feelings of failure, loneliness, and despair. The pressure to "start fresh" or measure up to societal expectations can feel unbearable.

this post is awesome and totally explains my craving to commit suicide so vehemently right now, more than the other months. when summer finally "stopped" (summer in texas is humid, hot, draining, and very long) and november became colder and darker, i thought to myself, "i thought summer would last forever. why did the seasons change again?". now with christmas music playjng 24/7 and decorations everywhere i feel more inclined to die before i lose this chance to wipe my slate clean while everyone is still holly and jolly. because if other people are excited about what the new year is bringing then me being anxious means i'm fucked up and weird.

it's nice that other people can feel like this way too. i feel a lot of regret knowing that i just as anxious and scared of the new year coming that i did last year. i kind of expected to kill myself in the middle of january because i hated being alive and alone so much. it's scary to think that i have nothing to look forward to because my life has only gotten worse and smaller.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I can well understand it. I've long disliked New Years Eve/ Day. I think it prompts you to both- look back on the year and to look forward. It's depressing when both look shit!

But yeah- I suppose some particular days do really make us think about the time sprawled out ahead of us and, what we ought to try and achieve in it. It's no wonder really that it can be a trigger for people to say- 'hell no!'

 

[kuroshimi]

Interesting statistics.

I guess it's related to fact that winter holidays is a friends or family holiday. Many people feel lonely during this period.