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I said suicide rates go up because of lack of daylight hours. I don't think this is debateable.
You come on here and talk about eductaion expenditures and try and act like republicans are less educated and therefore commit suicide at higher rates. What a boring theory you have. And there is absolutley no proof to your simple-minded assertions.
Suicide rates in Alaska and Montana are higher because they have less daylight in the winter months. Ask any doctor if you don't believe me. Sunlight is a natural anti-depressant.
Actually, there's a lot of debate in the field about this. While depression (particularly Seasonal Affective Disorder) increases with lack of hours of sun exposure (and depression is correlated with risk for suicide), the suicide rate variation by state can't be entirely explained by that. Nevada and New Mexico are the third and fourth highest rates, whereas some places at a higher latitude with less daylight in winter (for example Rhode Island, #47, and New Hampshire, #39) have lower rates. The highest rates of suicide actually tend to occur in April-June, when arguably the worst of decreased daylight hours have already passed. There have been studies in the past decade that have found increased rates of suicide with increase in exposure to daylight (can't link these, google scholar "sunlight and suicide rates"). However, there is no widely-recognized theory for why increased sunlight would increase suicide risk, so take that with a grain of salt.
You are right that sunlight has an impact on melatonin (a hormone that influences sleep and circadian rhythms) and can help those with Seasonal Affective Disorder regulate sleep/improve mood. This is part of the reason S.A.D. folks in the northern latitudes take melatonin supplements or use "light boxes" as part of treatment.
ETA: I was writing this while the last 10 or so posts happened, so please forgive if I missed a few points!
I would venture that suicide rates are higher in the West because there's fewer people for suicide-prone individuals to interact with. It's easier to be isolated in the West. In the dense Northeast, you can expect to bump into another person every day. That seemingly trivial interaction can reduce the sense of hopelessness that coincides with suicidal thinking. However, too much density can also lead to feelings of anonymity and insignificance, like being a lemming or drone.
I still would offer that the reason the West has higher rates is due to the more prevalent lack of social interaction. Lack of sunlight can induce depression, but that's a function of higher latitude, something shared by the entire northern tier of states. When I lived in the Pacific Northwest, the gloom was tough on the soul, but there was enough fun to be had there to offset that influence.
I noticed elevated suicide rates among Native American populations, it certainly has an effect on Alaska's numbers. New Mexico is home to some of the absolute poorest reservations in the whole country, there is probably a correlation there.
Which, for the record debunks the "social safety net" myth, because New Mexico receives more social spending per capita than any other state, and has a large welfare caseload.
For the record, that in no way 'debunks the social safety net myth'. There is nothing to say that the suicide rate in NM wouldn't be higher if there were no 'social safety net'.
Which, for the record debunks the "social safety net" myth, because New Mexico receives more social spending per capita than any other state, and has a large welfare caseload.
I can't find anything to back up this claim. Link?
Colorado is not a "red" state. Colorado's voters are a pretty independent lot. Right now we have a Dem governor, two Dem senators; our Congressional delegation is 3 Ds and 4 Rs.
Red/blue state is not always easy to define. For consistency I went with States carried by the Republicans in the last 3-of-4 or 4-of-4 Presidential elections. (see map)
LOL The title cracks me up because it implies that politics are controversial, hence the "other" in "other controversies"
Suicide is very sad. It reminds me of a certain someone. I had no clue he would do what he ultimately did.
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The title cracks me up because it implies that politics are controversial, hence the "other" in "other controversies"
