TY - JOUR PY - 2011// TI - Back to school blues: Seasonality of youth suicide and the academic calendar JO - Economics of education review A1 - Hansen, B. A1 - Lang, M. SP - 850 EP - 861 VL - 30 IS - 5 N2 - Previous research has found evidence of academic benefits to longer school years. This paper investigates one of the many potential costs of increased school year length, documenting a dramatic decrease in youth suicide in months when school is not in session. A detailed analysis does not find that other potential explanations such as economic conditions, weather or seasonal affective disorder patterns can explain the decrease. This evidence suggests that youth may face increased stress and decreased mental health when school is in session. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0272-7757 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2011.04.012 ID - ref1 ER -