Depression is one of the most common illnesses with an enormous amount of individual burden and socioeconomic costs worldwide. This epidemiological study, based on the SHIP-LEGEND assessment, intended to draw a line between number, timing, subjective as well as objective valence of critical life events as risk-factors, social support as potential protective factor and life course depression. We aimed to proof and furthermore to improve existing etiological models and therapeutic strategies. The well designed Stralsund List of Life Events (SEL) turned out to be a validated method with high practical utility for the structured assessment of critical life-events. The subjective as well as objective assessment of so-called positive and negative life events as well as the temporal assessment are outstanding criteria of the SEL.