The suicide rates rise when the temperatures rise

reference

Burke M, González F, Baylis P, et al. Higher temperatures increase the suicide rates in the United States and Mexico. Nat Clim Chang . 2018; 8 (8): 723-729.

objective

to determine whether suicide, one of the most common causes of death worldwide, is systematically influenced by climatic conditions

draft

retrospective observation study

participant

documented populations of the United States and Mexicos

study parameters evaluated

• Average monthly temperatures-US data collected by Prism, a high-resolution rastery climate data; Mexican data collected from similar rastery climate data sets
• monthly suicide in Mexican and American districts-US rates, derived from the Multiple Cause-of-Death Mortality Database of the National Vital Statistics System 23 (1968-2004); Mexican data of the Mexican National Institute of Statistics and Geography (1990-2010)
• Percentage of monthly tweets with depressive language-622.749.655 Geolocalized Twitter updates were scanned on "depressive language"; Monthly percentage of tweets that are geolocalized in the investigation areas (counties and municipalities in the United States and Mexico) and contain words that are considered an expression of "depressive language" (e.g. sleepiness, episodes, fatigue, fear, loneliness, nervousness, severe, sleep, suicide, self -murder, captive)

primary result measurements

• Correlation between changes in the average monthly temperatures (measured in degrees Celsius) and monthly suicide
• Correlation between changes in the average monthly temperature (measured in degrees Celsius) and percentage of tweets with depressed language

important knowledge

The correlation between suicide rates and the increase in the ambient temperature was significant and robust. Every increase in average monthly temperature by 1 ° C above average increased the monthly suicide rate by 0.68 %(95 %confidence interval [CI]: 0.53 %–0.83 %) in the United States (1968–2004) and 2.1 %(95 %-KI: 1.2 %–3.0 %) in Mexico (1990–2010).

The correlation between depressive tweets and an increase in the ambient temperature was significant.

using 2 different methods to categorize tweets as depressed or not, there were 2 results, each significant. Each additional 1 ° C at the monthly average temperature increased the likelihood that a tweet was "depressed", by 0.79 %(95 %KI: 0.23 %–1.35 %) according to a method and 0.36 %(95 %KI: 0.05 %–0.68 %). from another.

practice implications

These statistical observation studies show a significant correlation between increasing ambient temperatures and suicide in the United States and Mexico. The application of "depressive language" in social media against the ambient temperature over time also illuminates a possible contribution mechanism for correlation: hotter weather correlates with individual mentally suffering (depressive tweets), which is robust with higher suicide.

The documentation of a significant risk factor for suicide is important, but all the more if the risk factor is both predictable and increases steadily. This increased risk is non -specific, i.e. h. It not only affects those who already have psychological problems, but the entire population.

The implication for practitioners is that the climate change itself is outside the area of ​​application of treatment -based medicine, but still contributes to an increasing rate of psychological health problems. ^{1 climate change is a threat to mental health, both on a large scale (displacement dreams, loss of houses and livelihood) as well as at a smaller scale (increased individual reaction to Conditions according to the stress diathesis model of mental illness).}

The study controlled confusing parameters such as gun ownership, possession of air conditioning systems, starting temperatures, gender, population size and others. Since the study results across all socio -economic groups in the United States are so consistent, the researchers suggest that a physiological explanation for correlation is likely. Study leader Burke explains that this "at least indicates that there is a plausible biological connection between temperature, heat regulation and the way in which the brain regulates its own emotions."

The implication for practitioners is that climate change itself is outside the scope of treatment -based medicine, but still contributes to an increasing rate of mental health problems.

This study provides information for the development of reduction strategies for municipalities affected by the effects of climate change. For a practitioner, a reduction strategy for rising temperatures should include the following: 1) Precise monitoring of the endangered persons in times of higher temperatures; 2) Preventive/preventive treatment for people with psychological health problems in history as preparation for warmer temperatures; and 3) improved screening of the general population on mental health problems in times of higher temperatures.

A possible intervention strategy could include the use of hydrotherapy to support the body's thermore regulation system. Hydrotherapy was researched for mental regulation and described as a sedative and neuroleptic in schizophrenia 4 and as an antidepressant in serious depressive disorders. ⁵ Based on the hypothesis of the senior researcher Burke, which affects temperature, thermoregulation and emotional condition in connection with suicide Cold exposure help to reduce the symptoms and the risk of suicide by increasing ambient temperatures.