Seasonality of Violent Suicides in the Athens Greater Area |
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| Authors: | C. Christodoulou MD I. N. Papadopoulos MD A. Douzenis N. Kanakaris MD C. Leukidis MD R. Gournellis MD K. Vlachos MD F.C. Papadopoulos MD L. Lykouras MD PhD FICPM |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Second Department of Psychiatry, University of Athens Medical School, “Attikon” Hospital;2. Fourth Surgery Department, University of Athens Medical School, “Attikon” Hospital;3. Athens Forensic Medical Department, Ministry of Justice;4. Second Surgical Department, 417 General Army Veterans Hospital Athens, Greece;5. Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Uppsala University Hospital. |
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| Abstract: | The aim of the study was to ascertain suicide seasonality in the Greek population and to associate this seasonal variation with age, sex, and suicide method. Studying seasonality can be of help in establishing a public health policy, related with suicide prevention. This is an epidemiologic study based on forensic evidence. We studied the deaths caused by self‐injury (trauma), namely deaths by violent suicide (not self‐poisoning). Statistically significant suicide seasonality was established with a peak in May. This seasonal variation is attributed mainly to males. As for the method, suicide by hanging peaks in June and by shooting in April. It was also observed that seasonality for individuals above the age of 45 peaks in early May. |
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