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What is National Depression Screening Day?
National Depression Screening Day is observed each October along with Mental Illness Awareness Week. This national observance focuses attention on depression and other mood disorders, including bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The goals of this observance are to educate the public and clinicians about the symptoms and effective treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, to offer individuals opportunities to be screened for these disorders, and to connect individuals in need of treatment with appropriate mental health care services.
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Why is depression screening important?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Depression, if left untreated, can lead to suicide. Fortunately, depression can be treated effectively with therapy and/or medication. NIMH has the world's largest research program of nationally and internationally renowned clinical researchers and scientists investigating the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of serious mood and anxiety disorders in children, adolescents, and adults.
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What are the symptoms of depression?
Common symptoms of depression include sad mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed, change in appetite or weight, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, physical slowing or agitation, energy loss, feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. A diagnosis of major depressive disorder is made if a person has five or more of these symptoms and experiences impairment in usual functioning nearly every day during the same 2-week period.
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Where can I find a screening location in my area?
Screening for Mental Health, Inc., offers an online depression screening locator at http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/locator/NDSDmap.htm. For additional information about depression and local treatment services, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) National Mental Health Information Center at (800) 789-2647.
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