Increased suicide rate due to prolonged darkness?

(Photos of the diary entry can be found at the end of the text).

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During the week here on the beach, daylight is reduced by another hour. In just 18 days, i.e. from December 15, the sun will no longer rise above the horizon at all in this region. It has been permanently dark at the North Cape for four days now. People say that the eternal darkness is hard on the mind. At the moment we still have four hours of daylight. Subtracting the times of dawn and dusk, there are perhaps only three hours left. When it’s cloudy and snowing or raining, we have the feeling that it’s no longer really light at all. Our 230 volt generator with up to 5 KW generates more than enough power to charge all our electrical appliances continuously and illuminate every last corner of the cabin. Despite the lack of human contact, we don’t feel lonely and the increasing darkness hasn’t had any negative effects on our psyche so far. Of course, we can’t really have a say yet, as the sun is saying goodbye for a good two months further up north in Norway and we’re still enjoying daylight at the moment.

“Do you think it’s true that the suicide rate in Norway is very high because of the darkness?” asks Tanja. “Can you read minds?” “Why?” “Well, because I’ve just been researching it online.” “It’s probably because we experience a lot of things at the same time.” “Maybe, but it’s still amazing.” “Hm, but I’d still be interested to hear the results of your research.” “According to the WHO, around 800,000 people worldwide take their own lives every year. In statistics based on WHO data, Norway ranks 50th with 12 suicides per year (per 100,000 inhabitants). In France (17th), Austria (24th), the United States (26th) and Germany (36th), the suicide rate is higher than in Norway.” “So the suicide rate has nothing to do with the prolonged darkness of a polar night?” “As it stands, that’s a widespread misconception. According to the WHO, it’s more to do with mental disorders, excessive stress, financial problems, serious illnesses and family conflicts, to name just a few reasons.” “Wow, I wouldn’t have thought.” “Me neither. Regardless of that, around 9,000 people die by suicide in Germany every year, almost three times as many as in road traffic accidents.” “It’s crazy what comes out when you compare these figures,” Tanja replies thoughtfully…