The rate of suicide goes down during the holiday season, often by as much as 40%, according to research from the University of Oxford, London.

"Our findings are contrary to the popular view that Christmas is a time of stress and arguments," said Helen Bergman, one of the social scientists who combed through emergency room records of over 19,300 people.

The Oxford group found a decrease in rates of self-inflicted injuries on and into New Year regardless of age, family connections or social isolation.

This study appears in the journal Social Science and Medicine.

Labels: research, self-harm, suicide