This paper reports on the research performed by Matsubara Hospital between the years 1961 & 1985, into the relation between the mental & physical state of old people & the depopulation process in the mountain areas of Japan. People over 65 were studied annually. More people with a higher level of Zung’s depression scale were observed in the depopulated areas in 1984. Bedridden elderly patients were found most often in depopulated areas, as well as a statistically greater incidence of suicides. (5 refs)