Jill Atwood reporting

Empty nest syndrome, retirement, loss, just a few of the reasons why senior citizens can become depressed.

Life over sixty should be the golden years, but too many senior citizens have trouble fighting off the blues.

Right now, one in five seniors struggle with depression, and of those not very many get help.

But beating the blues can be done, but most likely it can't be done alone...it may be as simple as adjusting medication, or maybe you just need someone to talk to.

The children are raised and have lives of their own now... Most of these seniors have long since retired...

Some may be mourning the loss of a spouse... Others may be wondering what now...

Bette Carr: "I HAD A LOT MORE TIME ON MY HANDS AND I DECIDED TO JUST STAY IN BED AND NOT BOTHER AND NOT GO ON LIVING AND NOT PARTICIPATE IN THINGS AND JUST KIND OF GAVE UP ON LIFE."

Depression in senior citizens is more common than most realize. It may disguise itself in physical symptoms.... prompting a visit to the doctor rather than a visit to a therapist. Isreal Ticher felt worthless and unloved nine months ago. For him it was simply a chemical imbalance...changes that can happen as you get older. Medication and someone to talk to made the difference for him.

Israel Teicher: "THE MAIN THING IS THAT YOU ARE A WORTHWHILE BEING THAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT AND YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH MORE..ITS JUST MAKE YOU FEEL THE VERY THING I THOUGHT I WAS WORTHLESS BUT SHE SAID YOU ARE VERY INTELLIGENT ACCOMPLISHED HUMAN BEING."

Bette Carr had spent most of her adult life raising children...after they left she was lost...until she realized life goes on.

Bette Carr: "I VOLUNTEER HELPING LITTLE CHILDREN WITH THEIR NUMBERS AND LETTERS PRESCHOOL CHILDREN THAT ARE GOING INTO KINDERGARTEN AND LIKE DOING THAT AND I PLAY BINGO AND WALK EVERYDAY AND READ A LOT."

Natalie Thornley heads up a mental health outpatient program at Valley Mental Health...she says alot of times seniors just need a little coaxing...permission if you will...to enjoy.

Natalie Thornley/Valley Mental Health: "WHEN YOU ARE USED TO DOING SOMETHING AND YOU DONT DO THAT ANYMORE A LOT OF TIMES IT'S HARD TO CHANGE ITS HARD TO PICK UP NEW TASKS OR LEARN OR NEW THINGS WE LOVE TO ENCOURAGE THE SENIORS TO TAKE A CLASS OR LEARN A NEW SKILL OR CHALLANGE YOURSELF WITH EVEN A LITTLE CRAFT..DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT."

She says there are many reasons why seniors become depressed, but she says she can't think of one reason why they should have to live with it.

The program at Valley Mental Health is called the Masters program...most insurances do cover the therapy.

There are a variety of different groups and support available...sometimes someone you love may just need a little nudge.