Seasonal variation in suicides: diminished or vanished - Experience from England and Wales, 1982-1996

Background Seasonal variation in suicidal death has been observed in many c ountries. In particular, a cyclic variation was found for both men and wome n in England and Wales in the 1960s and 1970s. Men showed a single 12-month cycle whereas women showed two cycles. Aims To re-examine the seasonal variation in suicides in England and Wales for the period 1982-1996. Method A harmonic analysis was used to detect the seasonality of the suicid e data. Results The seasonal effect on suicide is greatly diminished in England and Wales. This is shown by the reduced amplitude and smaller proportion of va riance:; accounted for by the season. Conclusions The seasonal effect on suicide has either diminished or vanishe d.