Every January 1, we cheer for a “new beginning,” but for many of us, that day brings with it crushing loneliness or worse. Studies show that suicide rates increase on New Year’s Day, busting the myth that it is a day of celebration for everyone. The New Year can seem like a harsh spotlight shining on feelings of failure, hopelessness, or, in the case of bipolar disorder, treatment failure. The risk of suicide may increase during this time as the weight of expectations and pressure to “move on” become overwhelming.
Here’s the hidden truth: New Year’s Day is just another day. It does not define your value, your progress or your future. If you are struggling right now, you are not alone and there is hope, even if it seems impossible to see. Let’s explore why the New Year can be so difficult, how to find light in the darkest times, and what steps you can take to heal in January and beyond.
Why New Year’s Day Feels So Hard: Understanding the Emotional Weight
The New Year can be seen as a fantastic and positive time, but not everyone feels that way. If you look back at the past year and see what you consider failure and pain, you might conclude that the new year will bring more of the same, which can be horrible. I’ve been there, I’ve thought about it. I looked at the new year and saw a mirror of the hated last year. There is no celebration there. And let’s face it: sometimes the new year brings more of the same, whether you like it or not. Of course, this can lead to suicidal feelings in some and worsen suicidal feelings in those who are already suicidal.
How Bipolar Disorder Magnifies New Year’s Day Struggles
And that’s part of the reason why the New Year can be difficult if you have bipolar disorder: you know you’ll still have bipolar disorder in the new year. The overarching narrative of the New Year is this notion of “turning the page.” The problem with bipolar disorder is that it’s the same damn page. I’m not saying that next year can’t be better than the last, but when you have bipolar disorder, it’s not as simple as just making a New Year’s resolution to eat more broccoli and things will get better.
Not to mention the fact that there is a cultural pressure to make the new year fresh and new. But bipolar disorder doesn’t allow it. All that pressure does is make people feel worse about the fact that January 1 is not the beginning of anything but rather the continuation of a disease that is trying to kill you. It speaks of a depressing realization. And understandably, a depressing realization can lead to an increased risk of suicide on New Year’s for those with bipolar disorder.
The Pressure to Start Over: How New Year’s Resolutions Can Harm Your Mental Health
That pressure to start over can take a toll on anyone’s mental health during the holidays. You may feel distressed about having problems with the divorce. The new year may bring even more struggles. You may be stressed about problems at work. The new year could bring more difficulties. The new year means nothing to many people because the “new year” is simply another page in a book, and if the book you are reading is painful and horrible, that “new page” simply brings more of the same, no matter what. let it happen. what could be your new year’s resolution.
The idea that you can suddenly change your life simply by using willpower is a myth. Making a New Year’s resolution can hurt your mental health over the holidays rather than help it when you fail to change your life overnight, even when this failure is predictable.
Suicide risk on New Year’s Eve: what the latest studies reveal
Two studies have recently come out that have found that suicides decrease during Christmas and other national holidays in most countries, but suicide increases on New Year’s Day in all countries. This goes against many people’s intuition, but I think it has to do with two things: not wanting to ruin a vacation for others, and the pressure of New Year’s change.
The study “Association of holidays and days of the week with suicide risk: a two-stage time series study in several countries” found that:
- Mondays had highest suicide risk among weekdays in all countries
- Weekends generally had the lowest risk of suicide.
- The risk of suicide generally decreased during the holidays, but increased one or two days after the holiday.
- There were sharp increases in suicide risk on New Year’s Day
A second recent study echoed some of these findings. “Temporal patterns of veteran suicide: variation by season, day of the week, and holidays.” found that:
- Veteran suicides increase in summer months and on Mondays
- Veterans’ suicide risk was generally lower on holidays other than New Year’s Day
- Veteran suicides increase on New Year’s Day, particularly among veterans ages 25 to 34
- The effects of vacations were more present among men
So if you are feeling an increase in depression or an increase in suicidal feelings right now, you are not alone. Many of us have been there.
Why January 1 is just another day: It’s okay
New Year’s Day is just another day; It doesn’t have to define your future. Healing begins when you reach out. Every day is an opportunity to start again.
Despite the cultural pressure and pressure we may put on ourselves to change or “fix” things on New Year’s, January 1st really is just another day, and that’s okay. No one needs an artificial starting line telling us when or what to change, and above all, we don’t need the pressure that comes with it. If you want to make changes in your life, do it on the day you choose, but understand that there is no magic day that will change the suffering you may be experiencing. That suffering may be present on December 31, January 1, and beyond, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost.
How to find hope and start healing this January
If you want to lessen your mental health suffering this January, suicide is not the answer. Here are some simple January suicide prevention tips you can follow to try to start the healing process:
- Contact us in the New Year. Don’t spend the New Year alone; Spend it with people who care about you or spend it by contacting a professional or helpline if necessary. There is no shame in saying that the New Year is a difficult day for you.
- Seek professional help. If you are feeling depressed in the New Year due to ongoing mental health suffering, seek professional help. This could be your GP, a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist. The point is that if your pain continues, you need help to change things. (You may also need to change professionals if the ones you have don’t help you.)
- Stop drinking and taking drugs. Drugs won’t help your mental health. Alcohol, for example, is a depressant and can therefore make depression worse. While substances may seem like helpful coping techniques, they produce short-term relief and long-term suffering. Remember, you may need medical help to stop using substances, and that’s okay.
- Work on self-improvement slowly. Whatever your pain, there are resources available to help you. I suggest looking at books to see what makes sense regarding your situation. I especially recommend workbooks as they can guide you through a healing process if you can’t afford to do it with a professional.
- Focus on evidence based aid. Don’t fall into the trap of using crystals, untested supplements, etc., to try to alleviate your suffering. Focus on being guided by mental health professionals or tools that have scientific support. (For example, most mental health apps are not backed by science. If you want to use one, choose one that is. Similarly, choose books written by recognized experts.)
In short, you can focus on healing this January if you want, but don’t feel pressured to create a sudden change. Change happens gradually when your problems are very painful. And please don’t be a statistic about New Years and suicide: reach out.
How to Support Someone Struggling with Suicidal Thoughts This New Year
Another important part of this is helping those around you who may be suicidal on New Year’s. It costs nothing to communicate with your loved ones, and if they are not the type to communicate, your contact can save a life. I have written two articles on how to help someone struggling with suicidal thoughts. You can find them here and here. However, no matter what, it’s your personal connection that can make the difference.
Hope beyond the calendar: every day is an opportunity to start again and fight suicide
As I keep saying, January 1st is just another day. That means if you’re in pain right now, there’s no reason you can’t start fighting it right now. Don’t wait for an arbitrary day to try to get relief. Every day is an opportunity to start the healing process and reduce pain.
Remember, if this time of year makes you feel worse, you are not alone. But don’t let an arbitrary date on the calendar defeat you. Extend your hand. Get help. Start healing. You have this, any day.
(Thanks to Chris Aiken, MDfor promoting this research).
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