TIMING OF COMPLETED SUICIDES AMONG RESIDENTS OF OLMSTED COUNTY, MINNESOTA, 1951-1985

Previous studies of suicide timing may have been biased by incomplete ascertainment of suicides and by delays between the suicidal act and s ubsequent death. Those potential biases were assessed and minimized in this population-based study by using the unique resources of the Roch ester Epidemiology Project in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Using these m ore accurate data, we confirmed previous reports of no excess suicides on birthdays (+/- 3 days), or during 3 United States national holiday s. While most prior reports found excess post-holiday suicides and sui cide peaks on Mondays, those findings were not observed in Olmsted Cou nty. Because 93% of deaths occurred on the date of the suicidal act, u sing date of death instead of the actual date of suicide is sufficient for most research purposes.