A life worth living

It’s traditionally the happiest time of the year. But what does a despondent person do when he sees most everyone else being merry?

Suicide may become an attractive option. Sadly, suicide is in the news in this season of cheer because of reports of celebrities who appear to have taken their own lives.

On Dec. 17, veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez was found unresponsive in his room at his Quezon City home, from a gunshot to the head. He was reportedly struggling with cancer and the gunshot appeared to be self-inflicted, although a police probe is still on.

Last Wednesday, South Korean movie star Lee Sun-kyun was found dead in his car in Seoul. The star of Oscar Best Picture “Parasite” and other K-drama hits such as “My Mister” had been under police investigation for illegal drugs that he said he was tricked into using by a bar hostess. He was starting to lose TV and commercial contracts, according to news reports.

In the Philippines, that kind of bad publicity could earn a celebrity sufficient notoriety for a successful career shift to politics, after which he can then commit homicide against his accusers and bashers. But Korean culture is different.

*      *      *

The stories of Valdez and Lee revived speculative stories about depression rising and suicide rates at their highest during Christmastime and the dark winter months.

Numerous articles on psychology websites, however, say this is not true.

Even in the Nordic countries, where the sun may be visible only for three hours of the day at the start of winter, and not rise at all during “polar nights,” the darkness may induce depression, but the suicides rise with the onset of spring, according to suicide monitoring groups.

One possible explanation, according to the experts, is that the sight of people becoming cheerful as the sun comes out deepens the despondency of those who see no reason to be glad about existence.

And during Christmas, gatherings of families and friends, and even joyful communion among strangers, tend to ease depression, according to the psychologists.

They point out that based on data, the highest suicide rates in many countries are recorded during springtime.

*      *      *

The weather