Cross-Correlation Analysis of Monthly Google Search Volume and Suicide in Taiwan, 2012–2022

Background: The present study investigated the 1-month, 2-month, and 3-month prospective associations of Google search terms with suicide in Taiwan from 2012 to 2022.

Methods: We analyzed daily suicide data from Taiwan’s Cause of Death Statistics between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2022. Data on Google search volumes for 37 terms related to suicide-related, socioeconomic status, familial problems, and physical and psychiatric problems were extracted from Google Trends. Cross-correlation coefficients between monthly Google search term volumes and monthly suicide were calculated at lags of 3 months (lag-3), 2 months (lag-2), and 1 month (lag-1).

Results: The monthly Google search volumes of two terms, “pain” and “Taiwan economy”, positively predicted monthly suicide in the total population. The search term “hypnotic” lag-3 negatively correlated with monthly suicide in the population aged ≥65. The search term “allergy” lag-1 positively correlated with monthly suicide in the population aged ≥65.

Conclusions: The monthly Google search terms of “pain” and “Taiwan economy” positively correlated with monthly suicide. The search terms “hypnotic” and “allergy” negatively and positively correlated with monthly suicide in the population aged ≥65, respectively. These terms may enable more accurate forecasting of future suicides.