Suicide data from Sweden (1911-93) & New Zealand (1975-95) were used to test a hypothesis derived as an extension of the Seasonal Affective Disorder concept. Contrary to the hypothesis, but similar to Durkheim’s report for central Europe in the 19th century, suicides peaked in late spring & there was more monthly variation in rural areas. Granberg & Westerberg’s hypothesis is that people abandon life when it is least difficult because of a disjuncture between experience & expectation. (29 refs.)