October 7 is National Depression Screening Day

by Maria Langlais

National Depression Screening Day is a nationwide, community-based mental health screening program for four of the most common and frequently co-occurring mental disorders:

• depression
• bipolar disorder
• generalized anxiety disorder
• post-traumatic stress disorder

This event is designed to focus attention on mood and anxiety disorders on a national level, to educate the public and clinicians about symptoms and effective treatments, to offer individuals the opportunity to be screened for the disorders, and to connect those in need of treatment to the mental health care system. 

Screening can be done in person or online. Click here to find the National Depression Screening Day location nearest you. Click here to take the screening test online.

For more information...

Screening for Mental Health, Inc. is a non-profit organization with the goal of providing large-scale mental health screenings, focusing on conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, alcohol problems, and suicide prevention.

The National Mental Health Association, who offer the online test, also include more information on their website about depression and other mental disorders.

For more information about depression in this issue of Seniors Digest, see "Depression and Older Adults" and "Depression is Treatable." Find more online resources in "Links You Can Use."