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But some claim its not a happy time for all. Many speculate the holiday season, coupled with a year long recession, is creating a dangerous situation for people on the verge of suicide.

SUICIDE AND THE RECESSION

According to the American Association of Suicidology, there is a direct relationship between unemployment rates and suicide.

The peak rate of suicide in the U.S. occurred in 1933, when the nation's unemployment rate topped out at 25 percent. That's more than double America's current jobless rate.

However, the association says there is no direct link between suicide and times of economic recession.

"Finances obviously is a really major source of stress for people," says Dr. Joseph McCormack, a psychologist with St. Mary's Health Psychology Services. 

"That having been said, not everyone that is having financial stress is going to get depressed and not everyone that gets depressed is going to have suicidal thoughts."

Data I collected from the CDC seems to echo that.

Over the past 30 years, the average number of suicides in Boone County is 14. The average is seven in Callaway County and nine in Cole County.

But in 2008, the year the current recession started, the number of suicides reported in each county was in line, and sometimes lower, than the 30 year average.

It seems while the loss of a job, or a home, or financial stability can be devastating, mid-Missourians are not finding the situation hopeless.

"The fact that there's a decrease in the face of more difficult times may speak also to the fact that people have a kind of resiliency," says Dr. McCormack.

HOLIDAY DEPRESSION

So what about the holidays? Do they really push people to suicide?

"The holidays oftentimes consitute a stress for a variety of reasons," says Dr. McCormack. 

"One of them is that there's just more demands and people have a hard time setting limits sometimes."

Dr. McCormack says the holidays also often disappoint some people. They think the festive time of year will be more fulfilling than it turns out to be.

But the theories on holiday depression and the Christmas blues also seem to be unfounded.

A study by the Mayo Clinic says while the holiday season is stressful, it does not push more people to commit suicide.

HOW TO HELP SOMEONE WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS

So how can you tell if these tough times are proving to be too much for a family member or friend?

Experts say the biggest indicator of suicide is when someone talks about it.

"That's the biggest clue and in that case you should definitely seek help," says Scott Perkins with the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

"It doesn't hurt to talk to the person. Just ask them are they thinking of suicide. And if you give them the chance to really talk about their problems and what they're going through, that, a lot of times, is a big help to people."