The association between school calendar and youth suicide in Taiwan

The association between academic periods and suicide rates differed by academic level and sex. A potential winter break effect, coinciding with the Lunar New Year, was observed in both middle/high school and undergraduate students. In contrast, a reduction in suicide rates during summer break was observed only among undergraduates, potentially reflecting sustained academic stress among middle/high school students even during summer break. Among undergraduates, only male students exhibited variations in suicide rates in accordance with the academic calendar, while no such variation was observed among female students. No sex-specific differences were identified in the middle/high school group.