National Depression Screening Day: October 6, 2022

DepressionMental Health AwarenessSuicide Prevention
Written By Shahna L. Duerksen, MA, LMFT
woman sitting on floor looking sad

Mental Illness Awareness Week is October 2-8 and is an annual event to highlight and raise awareness of mental illness, fight mental health discrimination, and provide support through mental health education. This year's week-long theme of “Together for Mental Health” will be focusing on people’s lived experience with mental illness and the need for improved crisis response and mental health care.
October 6 is designated as National Depression awareness day to raise specific awareness of depression and provide availability to screening assessments and other resources. This is a time to learn more about your possible depressive symptoms or to help someone you know who has them. 

Everyone experiences normal feelings of sadness, feeling down or a low mood at some point in their life due to a situation, person, or event. It is a common feeling. However, if these feelings turn to hopelessness, loss of interest in usual activities along with other emotional, mental, and physical changes that interfere with daily activities, then it is time to get help. 

What is Depression

Depression involves persistent feelings lasting for at least two weeks of:

  • Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day

  • Feelings of sadness or hopelessness about everything. Depression is more than just normal feelings of sadness

  • 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

  • Negative thought patterns; not feeling of worth, guilt

  • Restlessness or irritability

  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions

  • Fatigue or loss of energy

  • Thoughts of death or suicide. Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide

Statistics of Depression

According to statistics from Mental Health America (MHA):  

  • Major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses and affects more than 8% (21 million) of American adults each year.  

  • 15% of youth (3.7 million) ages 12-17 are affected by major depression

  • Depression causes people to lose pleasure in daily life, can complicate other medical conditions, and can be serious enough to lead to suicide

  • Depression can affect anyone. While certain factors increase the risk of developing depression, it can affect anyone, at any age, and of any race or ethnic group 

  • Only about a third (35%) of those suffering from severe depression seek treatment from a mental health professional. People often resist treatment because they believe depression isn't serious, that they can treat it themselves, or that it is a personal weakness rather than a serious medical condition

Depression Screening

Online screening tools are meant to be a helpful quick look at your mental health and are not meant to be a professional diagnosis. It is important to contact a medical doctor or professional therapist for an assessment to determine if your symptoms meet the criteria of depression or some other mental health diagnosis. They will provide you with information and support to help you start to feel better. Mental health conditions such as depression are common and treatable.

MHA is just one of many that offers a free online depression screening at https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/. This is a free 10 question online test meant to give the taker an initial baseline score of minimal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, or severe depression. The overall score is not meant to be a diagnosis and is meant to give a helpful quick look at your mental health. Results are used to give an initial indication of your symptoms and are best used as a motivator to seek out professional help by a doctor or professional therapist who can give a diagnosis and help you access therapy, other support, and help.

Resources

You are not alone, and help is available. Those struggling with severe depression may have thoughts of self-harm, death, suicide, or have a suicide plan. If you’re feeling suicidal or just need to talk, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for free:

For Crisis Support

 If you need immediate help you can reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by:

  • Call or Text 988

Non-Crisis Support

Roubicek & Thacker Counseling is Fresno’s premier provider of individual, couples, family, and group therapy. We offer in-person and online remote therapy sessions. Contact us today to change the way you feel.

Shahna L. Duerksen, MA, LMFT
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October 2-8 is Mental Illness Awareness Week