Suicide Most Likely on Mondays, According to UK Study

by Kevin Caruso

August 25, 2005

A UK study recently published in "Health Statistics Quarterly" indicated that more people die by suicide on Monday than on any other day of the week.

Clinicians studied 34,935 suicides in Great Britain from 1993 to 2002, and found there were an average of 11.1 suicides on Mondays and an average of 9.6 suicides for the other days of the week.

By percentages, and including gender, 16 percent of British male suicides and 17 percent of British female suicides occurred on Mondays.

The study confirms previous data indicating that there are more suicides on Mondays. However, in contrast to previous studies which indicated that the "Monday Effect" was due to despair over retuning to work, this study indicated that the employment status of the individuals who died by suicide was not germane, and, further, age was not a factor.

Thus, whether employed or unemployed, old or young, suicidal individuals are more likely to die by suicide on Mondays.

It should be noted that although there is a statistically significant jump on Mondays, the disparity in the numbers is not that large (9.6 to 11.1).

We can thus conclude that there is a SLIGHTLY greater chance that a suicidal person will die by suicide on Monday, rather that any other day.

As always, suicidal individuals need to receive treatment, and there needs to be great vigilance in monitoring them.

If you or someone you know is suicidal, please go to the Home Page of this website for immediate help.

Thank you.

I love you.

Take care,

Kevin Caruso