Increased Suicide Rate in the Middle-Aged and its Association With Hours of Sunlight

The authors examined the frequency of suicide & its relation to meteorological factors in the state of Victoria between January 1990 & April 1999. The incidence of suicide had its nadir in winter & zenith in the spring & summer, paralleling closely the number of bright sunlight hours. This pattern was particularly marked for violent suicide. During the decade, the suicide rate significantly increased among men between 21 & 60 years of age & women between 41 and 60. (14 refs.)