# Are modern pharmaceuticals to blame for the rise in suicides?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pharmaceuticals-to-blame-for-the-rise-in-suicides/815720>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 8, 2018, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pharmaceuticals-to-blame-for-the-rise-in-suicides/815720 "2018-06-08T20:48:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pharmaceuticals-to-blame-for-the-rise-in-suicides/815720/21 "2018-06-11T00:38:51Z")

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actually from historical narratives ive read suicide among homesteaders especially females were “dreadfully high” and in places like the Dakotas Kansas ect they didn’t go a whole winter with out one or more incident of a parent (usually female) killing their family and then themselves because of the isolation and weather ….

its one reason the psychology profession began to research seasonal depression and the like

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**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pharmaceuticals-to-blame-for-the-rise-in-suicides/815720/22 "2018-06-11T02:26:38Z")

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> [@nearwildheaven](#):
>
> Got a link?
> 
> All social, etc. problems since the early 1960s have been blamed on variations of this. :dubious:

I’m not religious, but historically, religion has played a significant role in adding structure, higher purpose and a moral framework to society. As we become a more secular society, maybe some people find it difficult to find that higher purpose in life?  
I also think that not too long ago, people didn’t “need” to commit suicide. It was hard enough just keeping from getting killed by all the stuff that could kill you.

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