Holidays can offer social, psychological protection to all Published Dec. 8, 2006 By Maj. Darrick Cunningham Life Skills Support Center POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Suicide is a serious public health problem accounting for between .4 and .9 percent of the deaths in the United States. The Center for Disease Control also reports that in the population at large it is the eighth leading cause of death; but among adolescents, the third leading cause. In l998, 30,551 Americans took their own lives. In the most recent year for which detailed national data are available (1996), the chart indicates that November and December rank the lowest in the number of daily suicides. Spring and fall are by far the riskiest seasons for suicides in the United States. Although research indicates that suicides may increase for a brief period after New Year's Day, January still remains one of lowest months for suicide risk. One study examined seasonal trends in more than 3,670 suicides and about 3,300 psychiatric admissions to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Durham, N.C. It found no increase in suicides or psychiatric admissions around the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Other studies verified that national suicide rates in December and January were either average or below average. Psychiatric visits to hospital emergency departments reach their lowest point of the year one to two weeks before Christmas and other holidays like New Year's Day, Easter and Independence Day. No one doubts that some people may find the holidays a depressing time, but for the great majority of people, a holiday does not endanger emotional health. The holidays, in fact, seem to provide some psychological and social protection against suicide. Holidays such as Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, tend to involve the gathering of relatives and friends. Relatives and friends often stretch their visits over several days before, during and after the holiday. Holiday stress is often exacerbated by excessive behavior and substantial changes in routine. People eat and drink more than normal, change their usual patterns of sleep and exercise, contend with frustrating traffic jams at mobbed shopping centers and spend more money than they can afford. People feel tired and stressed out. Balancing that, however, are increased levels of emotional support from families and friends that help people cope. We are, by nature, social human beings connected to other people both on a personal level and as part of a greater community. Many studies have found that our ties to others can have a direct impact on our health and well-being. People who are connected to others have a lower death rate from all causes than is expected for persons of their age. But those who are isolated have the highest rate of mortality. To increase your resilience, capitalize on year-round availability of support networks (friends and family) previously tapped into during the holidays. For more information, visit the Life Skills Support Center or call 394-4700.