Rapid responses are electronic comments to the editor. They enable our users
to debate issues raised in articles published on bmj.com. A rapid response
is first posted online. If you need the URL (web address) of an individual
response, simply click on the response headline and copy the URL from the
browser window. A proportion of responses will, after editing, be published
online and in the print journal as letters, which are indexed in PubMed.
Rapid responses are not indexed in PubMed and they are not journal articles.
The BMJ reserves the right to remove responses which are being
wilfully misrepresented as published articles or when it is brought to our
attention that a response spreads misinformation.
From March 2022, the word limit for rapid responses will be 600 words not
including references and author details. We will no longer post responses
that exceed this limit.
The word limit for letters selected from posted responses remains 300 words.
The reasons for suicide are societal and personal. However, one
wonders if the high rate of suicide in Finnland is influenced by Seasonal
Affective Disorder (AKA "SAD")?
Not only are long periods of darkness associated with depression in some
people, but the increase in social isolation due to inclement weather can
be an indirect factor in elderly depression and suicides in northern
climates.
S.A.D.?
The reasons for suicide are societal and personal. However, one
wonders if the high rate of suicide in Finnland is influenced by Seasonal
Affective Disorder (AKA "SAD")?
Not only are long periods of darkness associated with depression in some
people, but the increase in social isolation due to inclement weather can
be an indirect factor in elderly depression and suicides in northern
climates.
Competing interests: No competing interests