While many El Pasoans are out filling their Christmas list or gathering with family, there are those who are not.

It's during the holiday season that El Paso County's Medical Examiner's Office is handling more suicide calls than usual. The office reports the spike in calls typically happens in late December and January

According to psychologist Garry Feldman, the holidays can make an already depressed person feel even more isolated.

"When people start thinking "Will I have money, will they be with loved ones, do they feel they have loved ones, will they be together,' then they see other people who they think are having a joyous time, and they feel separated. They're not connected, they feel isolated," said Feldman.

Feldman said teenagers are more likely to suffer from depression at any given time of the year. Sometimes it's because they feel they have less than their friends. For others, he said, it's because they don't feel loved.

"Like me, I get depressed from time to time, but it doesn't get that bad," said Josh Young is a student at Coronado High School. Young said he copes with his depression by writing poetry, or engaging in other activities to occupy his mind.

"I have a lot of friends that have gone through depression, and I try to help, but sometimes I can't really do much," said Raymundo Rojo, who also attends Coronado High School.

While it's true the person has to want to change, Feldman said don't ignore any changes in behavior, let them know you care for them and reach out to them because in serious cases you could be saving a life.

"We have to get our fears out of the way because if something terrible happens we live with guilt forever," said Feldman.

The number of suicides across El Paso county haven't been released for 2006, but in 2005 there were a total of 54.

Feldman said signs to look for if you suspect someone is going through depression are isolation, withdrawal, or mood changes. Look for a significant change in behavior, or if they're eating more or less.

For help you can call the Crisis Hotline at 779-1800.