The suicide wave that followed the United States stock market crash of October 1929 is more legend than fact. Careful examination of the monthly figures on the causes of death in 1929 shows that the number of suicides in October and in November was comparatively low. In only three other months were the monthly figures lower. During the summer months, when the stock market was flourishing, the number of suicides was substantially higher.
The statement 'The suicide rate in October and November of 1929 was considerably higher than the average for those months during several preceding and following years' would best challenge the conclusion of the passage.