Suicide rates are affected by the moon and changes in seasons, according to researchers. A study of 1400 suicides found that people were more likely to make an attempt on their life when there was a new moon. The study, carried out by the Finnish National Public Health Institute, also suggested that suicide rates increased as winter turned into spring and summer turned into autumn. Dr. Timo Partonen, a researcher at the Institute, suggested that the peaks in suicide when the seasons change could be linked to changes in light and temperature which disturb the human body clock. The same phenomenon was found as summer gave way to autumn where light levels decreased but temperatures were variable. Dr. partonen said a higher rate of suicide was also linked to phases of the moon. [And you only thought that Hollywood made this stuff-up.]
