Are you depressed? Are you sure? Mental health professionals at clinics, hospitals and other facilities throughout Utah will offer free screening for depression on Oct. 9, part of a National Depression Screening Day.
Last year more than 83,000 people attended screenings at 2,400 sites across the country. Participants hear a brief talk on the causes, symptoms and treatment of depression and can take an anonymous written screening test for depression. They also will have a chance to talk about the results with a mental health professional.Symptoms that may indicate depression include loss of pleasure; sadness, hopelessness or worthlessness; changes in sleeping and eating patterns; irritability, anxiety or restlessness; inability to concentrate; fatigue or loss of energy; or unexplained aches and pains.
"Depression is an illness, and effective treatments are available," is a slogan of the national effort. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that depression strikes more than 17 million Americans each year, but fewer than half of them seek treatment.