In contrast to previous observations, recent studies of depressive symptoms among the elderly show a decreasing current & lifetime prevalence after age 30. Lower prevalence of depression in the elderly may be due to a “cohort effect” in that the current 65 to 85 age group has been protected against major depression & suicide. While suicide rates do increase with age in white males, current older men have lower suicide rates than previous cohorts at the same age (60 years). 37 ref