Seasonality of Completed Suicides in Adolescents Under the Age of 18 years in Michigan During 2000-2015

Abstract

In Michigan, the increase in adolescent suicide is above the national average. Literature identifies that adolescent suicide increases at the beginning of the school calendar suggesting seasonality of suicide deaths based on the school calendar. The purpose of this study was to analyze seasonality of adolescent suicide in Michigan. Six hundred ninety one suicide death records of adolescents 5-17 years of age between 2000 and 2015 were obtained from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Vital Statistics Unit. Yearly, monthly, and weekly frequencies were plotted, along with frequency of age using times series analysis. Frequencies of suicide deaths increased, with peak events occurring October 23rd-29th. Suicide deaths were lower when school was not in session, June through August. Data also revealed an increase in younger children completing suicide between the years 2000 and 2015. Findings strongly indicated a pattern of adolescent suicide related to the school calendar.