Is the development of depression in lder people hereditary factors may play minor part, biological factors and psychosocial stress seem to be more importnat. It has been shown that 1-4 % of older people suffer from depressive disorder. Late life depression is characterised b y the same symptoms as in yonger people with some significant differences. Secondary depressions are to be considered in differential diagnostics. Recently, an increase of suicides in 75 year ghe occurrence of suicides is four-fold higher than in younger people. Generally, suicides can be prevented by a training of general practitioners and by a restriction of access to potential means of suicide. In clinical practice an early detection and treatment of psyhiatric disorders and identification of the risk and protective factors in older people are of utmost importance. In the society, an enhanced tolerance of the public towards the ageing populations by means of well-managed education is needed.