While doing research for this article, we came upon some rather interesting information that states that belief of suicides "spiking" around the holidays is, in fact, a myth. One such article was published by the CDC in December 2013. It states:
Whether or not this "spike" is fact or myth, we felt that since this belief is so prevalent, now is an excellent time to post the signs and symptoms of suicide, along with crisis lines and suicide hotlines that can be used if you find yourself in distress or needing extra support--which we all do from time to time.
With that having been said, the following page has the list of signs and symptoms along with just a handful of suicide hotlines/crisis lines. To find a crisis center for your area, here is an excellent website.
The idea that suicides occur more frequently during the holiday season is a long perpetuated myth. The Annenberg Public Policy Center has been tracking media reports on suicide since 2000. A recent analysis found that 50% of articles written during the 2009–2010 holiday season perpetuated the myth.1
CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reports that the suicide rate is, in fact, the lowest in December.2 The rate peaks in the spring and the fall. This pattern has not changed in recent years. The holiday suicide myth supports misinformation about suicide that might ultimately hamper prevention efforts.
Suicide remains a major public health problem, one that occurs throughout the year. It is the 10th leading cause of death for all Americans. Each year, more than 36,000 people take their own lives.2 In addition, more than 374,000 are treated in emergency departments for self-inflicted injuries.2
Read more HERE.
Suicide Signs
&
Crisis Lines