As night time temperatures rise, so do suicide hotline calls

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-02-12 06:00

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***This media release contains information some readers may find distressing as it refers to data about mental health, suicide and self-harm. If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline (Aus) on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or Lifeline (NZ) on 0800 543 354. ***

US scientists say that as temperatures during the night rise, crisis helpline services receive more calls from people contemplating suicide. The team looked at 11,684 suicide risk assessments in Louisiana, and found that in when night time temperatures were in the highest 10%, suicide hotline calls increased by 19%, in the highest 5%, by 55%, and in the highest 1%, by 166%. They estimate that this translates to an additional 19 suicide calls per 100 crisis calls in the two days following hot nights. They also found hot nights were linked with poor sleep, wishing to die, accessing methods of suicide, and abandoning plans for the future. The findings suggest temperature extremes increase the risk of suicide, disrupt sleep, increase substance use and impulsivity, cause stress over basic needs, and can lead to social isolation, the authors say. Interventions such as temperature-triggered staffing protocols and integration of basic needs support into suicide prevention during extreme weather events could help, they say.