The prevalence of depression and anxiety in pacients hospitalized in general hospitals is very high, this is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and higher health costs. Emotional support is essential in any recovery process. Method: A descriptive and analytical study was carried out on depression and its relationship with social support, hospital stay and medical illness in patients admitted to the Dr. Manuel Quintela Clinical Hospital Montevideo-Uruguay. The Beck test for depression and the scale validated for social support Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) were applied. Characteristics of the studied population were described. Results: More than half of the interviewees presented some degree of depesión. It was possible to affirm that 73.7% of the users with scarce social support presented depressive symptoms with an increase in depression, especially of moderate and mild type. There was a higher incidence of depression in patients with prolonged hospital stay, however this data was not statistically significant. Regarding medical pathology, we highlight the strong presence of depression in cardiovascular and surgical oncology patients.