Missoula - High suicide rates. (Bozeman: real estate, home, college)

[BRAZILIAN]

Yesterday I watch a documentary on cable TV, that said Mussoula, Mt has a "high suicide rate" and the "harsh winter" is the culprit.
They said that winter (cold days) do people get depressed.
Is it true??
I live in a sunny country and I do not understand about this "winter effect".

[historyfan]

Missoula has issues with high alcohol addiction rates. They may play a role. There are other places in Montana that have gray winters also.

Seasonal depression has to do with angle of sun in northern latitudes during winter causing lack of body's absorption of Vitamin D. Taking Vit D supplements and having light therapy winter lighting help alleviate issues as well as getting plenty of outdoor exercise.

[ElkHunter]

To add to what HistoryFan said, people put themselves into a funk that they create and it's called cabin fever. For some reason, some folks decide that if it's cold out, you can't go outside. If there is snow on the ground, you can't go outside. In fact, during the winter there is actually just as much, if not more to do for outdoor activities. But, they stay inside their home for weeks on end and don't get out.

[CatholicConvertMom]

Yes it is true. The problem with Missoula, from my view (after having lived there 3 years), is that it suffers from constant gray, cloudy skies during winter. The lack of sunlight has a big influence on mental health. In other Montana towns such as Bozeman, winters are still usually sunny. It makes a big difference.

[tijlover]

Las Vegas enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year, but that hasn't done anything to halt the high suicide rate in this city! Last I read, Wyoming had the highest rate of suicide on a state level, and Nevada is the runner-up!

I've seen it! Someone wins a big jackpot here, they're hounded by strangers, friends, relatives, real estate agents, charitable organizations, Democrat and Republican fundraisers, for a slice of the cake, and overwhelmed, they shoot themselves!

[ElkHunter]

The unfortunate thing about a study like this is that it never breaks down root cause. It could be any number of reasons that cause this to happen. Alcoholism. mental disorder, frustration, hopelessness, medical, or? ???? I don t think there is really one cause and neither do the experts.

[CMartel2]

Risk factors for suicide that seem particualrly pertinent to Montana?

1) White or Native-American race. Both big checks in Montana
2) Rural areas. Check.
3) High rates of gun ownership. Also related to rural areas. Check.
4) Older populations. Check.
5) Limited access to mental healthcare. Check.

What you'll find is that suicide rates climb as you move further from the equator. Consistent sunlight is important, and seasonal affective disorder is a very real phenomenom. There's probably more to it than just vitamin D.

I would further venture to guess that Montana has a higher percentage of veterans than most states, as well. Vets are very high risk for suicide for a number of reasons, including potentially developing PTSD, a tendency to isolate from larger crowds, a predilection to self-medicate with alcohol if they are suffering from mental illness, etc...

Protective factors include living with others, having kids, being married, religious faith, and having social support.

[brokencrayola]

Originally Posted by BRAZILIAN

Yesterday I watch a documentary on cable TV, that said Mussoula, Mt has a "high suicide rate" and the "harsh winter" is the culprit.
They said that winter (cold days) do people get depressed.
Is it true??
I live in a sunny country and I do not understand about this "winter effect".

Sure that can be true. Long winters can get very depressing and lack of sunshine can be difficult. Missoula is also a college town so I wonder if a lot of these are young people or not.

[brokencrayola]

Originally Posted by tijlover

Las Vegas enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year, but that hasn't done anything to halt the high suicide rate in this city! Last I read, Wyoming had the highest rate of suicide on a state level, and Nevada is the runner-up!

I've seen it! Someone wins a big jackpot here, they're hounded by strangers, friends, relatives, real estate agents, charitable organizations, Democrat and Republican fundraisers, for a slice of the cake, and overwhelmed, they shoot themselves!

^^^ Yes, I am sure that is true although I think what is more likely is someone losing all their money gambling and committing suicide out of desperation. I think far more people lose than win.