National Depression Screening Day

Millions of people are diagnosed and treated for depression and depression-related illnesses each year. Unfortunately, millions more suffer from depression but due to social stigma or lack of information they remain untreated.

In an effort to bring more awareness to this difficult and sometimes debilitating condition, Screening for Mental Health, Inc. started National Depression Screening Day in 1991 and has grown awareness through cooperation with clinics and healthcare providers nationwide. This large-scale screening day helps to provide free information and screening to those who may be nervous about talking to friends, family or their own healthcare provider about depression. Always held on the Thursday of Mental Awareness Week, this year National Depression Screening Day falls on October 8.

While free depression screenings are offered by a number of mental health providers year-round, National Depression Screening Day makes a great starting point for finding information on depression. Whether or not you are feeling depressed, taking a free screening may help you to identify areas of anxiety or cyclic depression cycles such as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) that you may experience during other times of the year.

Screenings are available both on-site at clinics in all 50 States, as well as on-line for those who would rather take the screening from the privacy of their own home. If you need help finding a screening site in your area, a listing of registered locations is available through Mentalhealthscreening.org or www.mentalhealthamerica.net. A listing of sites can also be found through your private healthcare provider.

If an online depression screening test is taken and the results indicate that you may be suffering from depression, speak with your doctor or another healthcare professional immediately. Depression may worsen if not properly identified and treated. Once you have been diagnosed with depression by a medical professional treatment through counseling, therapy, medication and physical activity can help to relieve symptoms and reduce feelings of hopelessness.

For more information on Mental Illness Awareness Week and National Depression Screening Day, contact one of the following mental health awareness sites:

www.mentalhealthamerica.net

Mentalhealthscreening.org

www.nami.org

If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, speak with a medical care professional immediately or call 1-800-273-TALK for help. Finding someone who will listen is the first step in recovering from depression.

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