More than 90 percent of people who commit suicide have a diagnosable mental disorder—most commonly a depressive disorder or a substance abuse disorder.

In general, only about three percent of the elderly living independently in the community will experience depression. That figure increases to around 20 to 30 percent of persons in nursing homes or with chronic illnesses like emphysema, heart disease or diabetes.

Although anyone can suffer from depression, it is particularly common among older adults. Depression affects 15 out of every 100 adults older than 65.

Grief moves in and out of stages from disbelief and denial, to anger and guilt, to finding a source of comfort, to eventually adjusting to the loss.

The unrealistic expectations of the season, time and financial pressures, missing loved ones and reflecting on past events as the year comes to an end all contribute to the blues.

Whatever the nature of your loss, active grieving can help you get through the following months and years.

You may have depression if you have a persistent sad or "empty" mood, or if you find it difficult to concentrate or make decisions.

In many cases of suicide or attempted suicide, undiagnosed and untreated mental illness—especially depression—is to blame.

Up to 20 percent of people with heart disease have serious depression—and unfortunately, many of them don’t know it.