Variation in Suicide Occurrence by Time of Day, Day of the Week, Month, and Lunar Phase

This study examines suicide occurrence among residents of Sacramento County, CA, from 1925 to 1983. Suicide occurence varied substantially by time of day. For both sexes & ages under 65 years, the fewest suicide deaths occurred during the early morning hours from 4:00 to 8:00. For the more recent years of the study, suicides occurred most frequently on Monday for both males & females for most age groups. Variation by month or lunar phases followed no consistent pattern. (VM)