Introduction: When the Seasons Change, So Do Our Moods
You hear it every year:
“It’s the dark days.”
“Winter always brings the sadness.”
Seasonal depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), makes that common belief feel like truth. For many, winter means less sun, more gloom, and a heavier heart. It also means trying to put up with family that just doesn’t get it, and may ignore the fact that Seasonal Depression is a VERY real diagnosis.
But when it comes to suicide rates, the story isn’t that simple. Myths persist: that winter holidays are the worst, that cold causes hopelessness, and that November and December are when people are most at risk.
Let’s unpack what we actually know.
What Is Seasonal Depression (SAD)?
- Recognized in the DSM as a subtype of depression, SAD typically appears during certain seasons, most often winter but not always, and resolves when seasons shift. Wikipedia
- Symptoms: low mood, fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite, social withdrawal.
- There’s a milder form (“subsyndromal SAD”) where symptoms are present but less severe. Estimates suggest that about 14.3% of U.S. adults experience this milder form; around 6.1% have full SAD. Wikipedia
What the Data Says About Suicide Rates & Seasonality
🔍 Myth vs Reality
- Despite strong beliefs otherwise, suicide rates do not spike in winter around the holidays. In fact, December tends to have among the lowest average daily suicide rates per CDC data. Annenberg School for Communication+2Annenberg Public Policy Center+2
- Months with higher suicide rates are typically in spring and early summer (April, May, June). Johns Hopkins Medicine+2Wikipedia+2
📈 Recent Trends
- A 2023 study of online community data (US, UK, Canada) found that negative self-harm cognitions (both explicit and implicit) tend to peak in winter, but suicidal behaviors and attempt rates align more with spring’s resurgence of energy and social expectations. Nature
- Another analysis from Centerstone noted that in many U.S. regions, suicide deaths are consistently higher in the summer months, particularly off the notion that winter darkness is the main culprit. Centerstone
Why the Myths Persist
- Cultural Narratives & Media Influence: We see stories about holiday loneliness, depression drops in the snow and short days, and movies about lost souls in winter. The narrative ingrains itself before many check the data. Annenberg School for Communication+1
- Visibility of Struggle: Winter’s darkness, as well as shorter days, makes emotional suffering more visible (or so it seems), especially with less daylight and seasonal isolation.
- Seasonal Affective Symptoms: The depressive symptoms in winter are real, even if they don’t always translate to spikes in suicide. Fatigue, lack of sunlight, and social withdrawal—all of which can intensify risks. SAD doesn’t require suicide to deeply hurt someone.
The Reality: What’s Risky, What’s Protective
⚠️ Risk Factors
- History of depression or prior suicide attempts
- Limited access to daylight / geographic location (higher latitudes)
- Isolation, lack of social support
- Poor sleep or disrupted circadian rhythms
- Comorbid mental illnesses
💡 Protective Factors
- Light therapy or bright light exposure
- Therapy & mental health support
- Establishing routines, maintaining physical activity
- Social connection and community activities
- Awareness and honest conversations about what one is feeling
Final Thoughts: Living with SAD Without the Stigma or the Myths
Seasonal depression is VERY real, and so is suffering. But believing myths about when suicide happens can lead to missed opportunities for prevention or mistreat what’s true.
So if you or someone you know is coping with SAD, winter depression, or cyclical mood issues:
- Don’t wait for “holiday” or “winter” to think you’re at risk
- Keep watch in spring too, when energy returns but expectations feel heavy
- Reach out. Say what you need. Seek professionals.
You’re not alone in feeling small when the sky gets dark. But know this: seasons shift. So can hope and help.
