Washington, DC - Christmas is the most depressing time of the year for many people. New Year's Eve is another difficult time.

There are lots of reasons why depression and suicide rates soar during these holidays. Feeling alone, financial distress, health issues, family problems and the list can actually be long.

Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced an adult smoking cessation education campaign aimed at encouraging cigarette smokers to quit through messages of support that underscore the health benefits of quitting. These messages will be displayed in and around gas stations and convenience stores – retail locations where smokers face a multitude of triggers and that typically feature cigarette advertisements. The “Every Try Counts” campaign targets smokers ages 25-54 who have attempted to quit smoking in the last year but were unsuccessful. The two-year campaign launches next month in 35 U.S. markets and features print, digital, radio, and out-of-home ads, such as on billboards.

Rochester, Minnesota - As game day approaches, Mayo Clinic and The Link have teamed up to announce the launch of RiseUpGifts.org as part of an effort  to raise awareness about sex trafficking and inspire people to make a difference by helping victims who have been trafficked.

San Francisco, California - Donald MacCord, formerly a resident Washington State, and Shannon Doyle, a resident of Maryland, were arrested Monday for their role in an alleged conspiracy and fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett, and Securities and Exchange Commission-Inspector General Carl W. Hoecker.  The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filed a parallel civil action against MacCord and Doyle today in the Western District of Washington.

Los Angeles, California - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) intercepted a 17-year-old male citizen of New Zealand on Monday who was traveling alone on a one-way ticket to visit a male family member in Michigan who has two felony convictions for sexual conduct with a person under 13.

Washington, DC - Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson: "Sixty-nine years ago today, in the aftermath of World War II, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to recognize and elevate the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all individuals, and that these rights are the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.