The Environment and Suicide – Why Suicidologists Should Support Climate Change Policies

Free AccessThe Environment and Suicide – Why Suicidologists Should Support Climate Change PoliciesDavid LesterDavid LesterPsychology Program, Stockton University, Galloway, NJ, USASearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:January 21, 2021https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000752PDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditE-Mail SectionsMoreWhen suicidologists consider how the environment may impact suicide, they typically focus on social economic interpersonal environment. For former, Lester Yang (1997) documented factors such as business cycle might suicide rates while, many years ago, Platt (1984) showed that unemployment increased rates. As environment, in articulating his theory of Joiner (2005) argued perceived burdensomeness thwarted belonging were present those who died Van Orden et al. (2010) reviewed research supporting theory. But does physical have an suicide? It is well there a seasonal variation example, Bando Volpe (2014) found pattern São Paulo, Brazil, with peak late spring (November) trough during May–June (late autumn) men, January June–July women. Chris Cornell, rock-and-roll musician from Seattle, May 2017, Schwartz (2019) noted Cornell's lyrics contain clear indicators mixed depressive imagery, suggesting yearly risk becomes maximal when winter turns emerges mood state. The suicides could be result changes patterns interaction at end or meteorological changes. However, Moore (2018) reported Tay Road Bridge Scotland (for period 1968–2017) was even after controls temperature hours sunshine. Also illustrating evidence naturally occurring variations water supplies can suicidal behavior. it back 1970s differ amount lithium drinking (a medication approved treating patients bipolar affective disorder). In recent meta-analysis 13 ecological studies one cohort study testing association, Barjasteh-Askari (2020) significant preventive association men (odds ratio [OR] = 0.54, p < .01) trend women (OR 0.70, 0.06). There been several natural disasters suicide. Orui increase male earthquake March 2011 east Japan (in Miyagi prefecture) also recovery phase. On other hand, Chen (2016) decrease 1999 Taiwan affected regions compared unaffected regions, while Rodrigo colleagues (2009) no Sri Lanka tsunami 2004. Kõlves (2013) earthquakes, hurricanes cyclones, tsunamis, floods, heat waves droughts and, although disasters, methodological problems (such failure control changes).Climate change appears increasing occurrence extremes weather conditions. Richardson press) monitored 8.5 million people sample randomly selected rural India 2001 2013 where 9,456 occurred out 249,786 total deaths. Compared normal growing seasons, percentage deaths 18.7% extremely wet seasons 3.6% dry seasons. these topics, not enough permit results order examine degree consistency results. One exception air quality Pollutants Air Those concerned climate are particularly worried about emissions pollutants we breathe. environmental consequences Covid-19 pandemic 2020 improvement quality. stayed home, airplane flights cut drastically factories closed. dangerous reduced. Clearly, respiratory diseases experienced better health, but suicides? At time, psychological will harmful people's mental health rise accompanying fear anxiety, isolation, catastrophe. major cities has drawn attention danger linked way which our changing.Davoudi conducted 12 published between 2010 2019, concentrations NO2, SO2, O3, CO all associated number next few days, particulate matter smaller than 10 μm (one millionth meter). pollution had stronger aged ≤ 64 years, summer violent methods difference Changes already brought gases deleterious health. would appear also, therefore, impacted, continue impact, Ambient Temperature SuicideAs earlier, countries show having autumn secondary (Lester, 1979). examining whether vary daily local weather. Bozsonyi studied region Hungary high rate 1971 sunshine immediate (leading suicides), over following 2 days. world changing change. Burke investigated potential studying United States (1968–2004) Mexico (1990–2010) using monthly vital statistics data American counties (n 851,088 points) Mexican municipalities 611,366 points). They relationship roughly linear. An 1oC 0.86% 2.1% Mexico. Centers Disease Control indicated 1.3% States. only country available India, greater (but stated article).Discussion long known live become apparent impacts, including floods droughts, consequent displacement damage food supplies, increases pollution, temperature. These affect living conditions people. their organizations, troubling should lead support arguing policies.How done? Apart individuals organizations leaders policies, involved suicidology prevention making public position statements concerning importance policies improving reversing past. International Association Prevention (IASP) each national around urge governments promote change, lending demand action change.David Lester, PhD, Emeritus Professor Psychology University USA, former president Prevention. He extensively murder, issues thanatology. His books include Katie's Diary Preventing Suicide: We Don't How Might.ReferencesBando, D. H., & Volpe, F. M. (2014). Seasonal city 1996–2010. Crisis, 35, 5–9. 10.1027/0227-5910/a000222 First citation articleLink, Google ScholarBarjasteh-Askari, F., Davoudi, M., Amini, Ghorbani, Yaseri, Yunesian, Mahvi, A. (2020). Relationship mortality water. Journal Affective Disorders, 264, 234–241. 10.1016/j.jad.2019.12.027 articleCrossref Medline, ScholarBozsonyi, K., D., Fülöp, A., Zonda, T., Bálint, L. effects duration ambient Hungary. Neuropsychopharmacology Hungarica, 22(1), 23–28. articleMedline, ScholarBurke, González, Baylos, P., Neal, S. Baysan, C., Basu, S., Hsiang, (2018). 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