Suicide Awareness: Does The Dark Gloomy Weather Affect Suicide Risk?

Greenland is known as one of the countries with the highest suicide rates. One of the most prominent factors being considered is the dark, gloomy weather.

According to NPR, Greenland has the highest suicide rate in the world. The suicide rate in the country does not only affect adults, but children as young as 12 manage to take their life as well. The entire country continually raises awareness and suicide hotlines are being posted all over the country.

Statistics mentioned on Slate website mentioned exhibited high suicide rates, which is 24 times higher than the United States. Japan, which is known as a country suffering from suicide epidemic was also surpassed by Greenland. 51 people out of 100,000 inhabitants commit suicide in Japan while 100 per 100,000 individuals commit suicide in Greenland.

A survey in 2008 revealed that one out of four young women planned on committing suicide. It was revealed that majority who commit suicide are teenagers and young adults. Young men are the ones that would top the poll in the tallied suicide statistics. Young women, on the other hand, are still capable of stopping their selves, but they did admittedly have suicidal thoughts.

"Every young person in Greenland knows someone who has committed suicide," Bodil Karlshøj Poulsen, director of Paarisa, the country's public-health center said. "It's a new phenomenon."

Though the Greenland weather tends to be depressing, a contradicting report backed by psychologists was published in Knowdigest. It was mentioned that weather triggered suicides were ruled out as high suicide rates during the summer also takes place.

Karin Sparring Björkstén, from the Karolina Institute in Sweden told Knowdigest that suicide rates soar during summer, which makes the gloomy weather irrelevant. 

Long exposure to sunlight is being blamed for sleepless nights, triggering anxiety and irritability among the locals. It was explained that long periods of daytime alters the serotonin levels, which greatly affects the person's mood.

"People living at high latitudes need extreme flexibility in light adaptation," Björkstén said. "During the long periods of constant light, it is crucial to keep some circadian rhythm to get enough sleep and sustain mental health."