Everybody gets the “blues” once in a while. Feelings of sadness and anxiety are a normal consequence of the little stresses of everyday life and big stresses such as job loss, divorce, or a death in the family.

But when these feelings affect your ability to work, eat sleep, and enjoy the things you love to do, it could be a sign of clinical depression. Since 1991, the sponsors of National Depression Screening Day have sought to reach out to people who may have clinical depression by offering free, anonymous screenings to assess mood and anxiety disorders and offer referral information for treatment.

Held in conjunction with Mental Illness Awareness Week, this year’s National Depression Screening Day is October 6. As the nation’s oldest, voluntary community-based screening program, National Depression Screening Day has helped more than 500,000 people each year since 1991.

More than 19 million Americans suffer from clinical depression each year. Although depression can affect anyone, older adults are especially vulnerable to its devastating effects, which range from a reduced quality of life to suicide. The stress of retirement combined with chronic illnesses that often strike in later life such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease can lead to destructive behavior and thoughts of suicide. Although people age 65 and older account for only 12 percent of the population, they account for 16 percent of all suicide deaths. Older white males, in particular, have a high risk of suicide.

Experts say that depression screenings should be a routine part of healthcare. To find a free, anonymous screening site in your area, contact www.mentalhealthscreening.org.
At the screening, you will:

• Receive educational materials on depression and other mental illnesses.
• Hear an educational session on depression.
• Complete a written screening test.
• Discuss the results with a mental health professional.
• If necessary, learn where to go for additional help.

Here are some signs that you or a loved one should attend a depression screening:

• 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.

It’s important to note that screenings are not a professional diagnosis, but simply identify the presence or absence of depressive symptoms and, if needed, provide a referral for additional evaluation. 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.

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. SMH hosts a year-round event locator website that allows the public to find free and confidential screening locations in their local areas.

Here are some reasons why depression screenings are important:

• 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.

For more information about National Depression Screening Day events – or to take an online test -- contact www.HelpYourSelfHelpOthers.org.

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