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Depression
Screening Day
Mental
Illness Awareness Week
Whether for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes
or depression, health screenings provide a quick and easy way to spot
the first signs of serious illness and can reach people who might not
otherwise seek professional medical advice.
Clinical depression is a common medical illness affecting
more than 19 million American adults each year. Like
screenings for other illnesses, depression screenings should be a
routine part of healthcare.
Screening for Mental Health Inc. (SMH) is the non-profit
organization that first introduced the concept of large-scale mental
health screenings with its flagship program National Depression
Screening Day (NDSD). SMH is dedicated
to promoting the improvement of mental health by providing
the public with education, screening, and treatment resources. SMH
hosts a year-round event locator website that allows the public to find
free and confidential screening locations
in their local areas. Screenings can also be taken online.
Why Screen for Depression?
- Clinical
depression is a serious
medical
illness.
- Clinical
depression can lead to suicide.
- Sometimes
people with depression mistakenly believe
that the symptoms of depression are a "normal part of
life."
- Clinical
depression affects men and women of all ages, races and
socioeconomic groups.
- One in four
women and one
in 10 men
will experience depression at some point during their lifetimes.
- Two-thirds
of those suffering from the illness do not seek the necessary
treatment.
- Depression
can co-occur and complicate other medical conditions.
- More than
80 percent of all cases of clinical depression can be effectively
treated with medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both.
- Screenings
are often the first step in getting help.
Clinical depression is a serious medical illness.
National Depression Screening Day is held during Mental
Illness Awareness Week each October. It is designed to call attention
to the illness of depression on a national level, educate the public
about its symptoms and effective treatments,
offer individuals the opportunity to be screened for depression, and
connect those in need of treatment to the
mental health care system.
Who Should Take a Depression Screening?
People suffering from depression often experience some of
these key symptoms:
- A
persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood
- Sleeping
too little, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
- Reduced
appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
- Loss of
interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Restlessness
or irritability
- Difficulty
concentrating, remembering or making decisions
- Fatigue or
loss of energy
- Thoughts of
death or suicide
Screenings are not a
professional diagnosis. Screenings point out the presence or absence of
depressive symptoms and provide a referral for further evaluation if
needed. You should see your doctor or a qualified mental
health professional if you experience five or more of these symptoms
for longer than two weeks or if the symptoms are severe enough to
interfere with your daily routine.
In
Crisis?
Reach
Out. Get Help.
Suicide
Intervention. Relationship Issues.
Substance
Abuse. Depression. Stress Management.
Call
317.251.7575
Or
1.800.273.8255
24-Hours
a Day; Confidential; Free
Mental
Health America of Greater Indianapolis
www.mhaindy.net
Supported
in part by Lilly USA, Inc. and the National Bank of Indianapolis
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