Every year, as the winter holidays approach, a familiar myth resurfaces: that suicide rates spike during this season. News stories cite it and social media posts pop up everywhere. But is this true?
It can certainly feel true because the holidays can bring stress, loneliness, and financial strain. But the data tells a very different story. For over 25 years, the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) has studied this claim, and their findings are clear—there is no increase in suicide rates during the holidays. In fact, the opposite is true.
“For more than a generation, we’ve been analyzing how the news media report on the mistaken belief that the suicide rate increases over the holiday season,” explains Dan Romer, APPC’s research director. “The persistence of this myth suggests that its hold on the public’s imagination is difficult to undo. Supporting the myth serves no useful purpose and may have a contagious effect on vulnerable people who are experiencing a crisis and contemplating suicide during the holidays.”
This is true with all myths or bits of misinformation that is spread. Just look at the way people view subects like consciousness or UFOs etc. There was a long held idea that the science of consciousness was “pseudoscience” or that UFOs were just crazy conspiracies, but in reality, evidence for both have been profound for decades. Yet still today, public perception is behind the times on these issues, and it’s hard to change that.
So where does the myth come from? Maybe it’s the stories we tell ourselves about winter—cold, short days, darker moods—and the emotional weight that can come with the holidays. But it’s not what the numbers show.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the months of November, December, and January consistently have some of the lowest suicide rates of the year. In 2023, December ranked dead last—12th out of 12—while the peak occurred in August. This seasonal pattern holds in other parts of the world, too. For example, in Australia, winter months (equivalent to summer in the U.S.) also show lower rates of suicide.
“This helps to explain the lower suicide rate we see here in December—it’s mostly due to the onset of the winter season,” Romer says. He highlights a fascinating irony: while we psychologically associate winter and the holidays with despair, the data doesn’t reflect it.
The APPC’s most recent analysis of media coverage during the 2023-24 holiday season found that 58% of stories falsely linked the holidays to increased suicide rates, while only 42% worked to debunk it. When respected news outlets reinforce this narrative, it sticks. This has been an issue for a long time. Mainstream news outlets generally re-inforce outdated ideas or perspectives, even if they aren’t accurate.
The consequences of this reporting go beyond misinformation. Talking about a supposed “holiday spike” in suicide may unintentionally harm those already struggling. This is because of something known as the contagion effect. When suicide is sensationalized or misrepresented, it can influence people in crisis to act on their thoughts. As Romer puts it: “There’s no need to give people the false impression that others are dying by suicide, when that could actually lead to contagion.”
This is why organizations like APPC, alongside journalism and mental health experts, emphasize responsible reporting. National guidelines encourage journalists to consult reliable sources like the CDC, avoid sensational headlines, and include supportive resources for readers. Shifting how we report and talk about suicide matters. It can save lives.
One of the most significant tools we now have for suicide prevention is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This three-digit number provides immediate, 24/7 support to anyone in crisis. However, awareness of the lifeline is still low.
According to APPC, as of September 2024, only 15% of U.S. adults were familiar with the 988 number. Kathleen Hall Jamieson, APPC’s director, explains why this needs to change: “The help that can be found at the 988 helpline can only save lives if those in need and their loved ones and friends know the number. When 988 is as readily recalled as 911, the nation will have cause to celebrate.”
The reality is this: while suicide rates don’t increase during the holidays, this time of year can still be hard for many people. The “holiday blues” are real. Some feel the sting of loneliness more acutely. Others struggle under the weight of expectations, grief, or financial pressures. But conflating these challenges with an increase in suicide rates does more harm than good. Instead, it’s an opportunity to shift our focus.
What can we do during the holidays?
Show up for each other. Offer connection and support to loved ones who may be struggling.
Ask how someone’s really doing. Listen without judgment. Sometimes, the smallest gestures—a phone call, a warm conversation, an invitation to share space—can make the biggest difference.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is there to help. It’s free, confidential, and available anytime, anywhere. These are the kinds of resources that matter most—not myths that weigh us down, but tools and truths that help us show up better for each other.
As we move forward, we need to ask ourselves: How can we use this time of year to focus on what’s real? How can we become more conscious of the people around us—more aware, more compassionate? Even though the myth of a holiday suicide spike isn’t true, the challenges people face are real. And this is the perfect season to lean in, connect, and remind each other that no one has to carry their struggles alone.
The holidays may bring darkness in the form of shorter days and colder nights, but they also hold space for light—a light we create through connection, care, and the willingness to be there for one another. If we can shift the narrative away from fear and toward support, maybe we can let go of the myths and focus on what truly matters hope, awareness, and the simple truth that help is always within reach.
