> Or is it that depression is becoming so pervasive that even successful people are opting out of life? In addition to what csense said, it's not clear to me w

> Or is it that depression is becoming so pervasive that even successful people are opting out of life? In addition to what csense said, it's not clear to me why these "successful people" would be much less likely to commit suicide than less prominent figures. High profile often just means higher pressure. It's not as if the folks you named were resting on past laurels, living a life of leisure. (Not to suggest that retirement is free from problems, e.g. ennui.) These were working individuals, which means dealing with the stresses of jobs and ambitions.