File this one under "Myth Busted!" They aren't really sure where the urban legend came from, but the thought of suicides going up during Christmas time is simply that... a myth.

Statistics from the Provident Life Crisis Services hot line show that on Christmas day, the phone will ring about 40 times. On other days, director Susan Self says they could get about 100 calls. Apparently December 25th and New Year's Eve fail to provoke any more suicides than any other day! The reason this myth could have become so popular might be due to the press and how they used to reference suicides this time of year.

Then again, perpetuation of this thinking might come from classic movies like "It's A Wonderful Life." Anyone could see why such happy occasions might cause others to feel so blue. But in reality, numbers prove that spring and fall are actually the peak seasons for suicides. Now, it's hard to debunk a myth based on a suicide hot line alone, but research actually indicates a decline during the winter. I was personally under the impression shorter days might have something to do with it. But that doesn't seem to be the case -- after all, it's the most wonderful time of the year!