National Depression Screening Day is October 7th
Monday, October 04, 2010 | 04:40am
NASHVILLE – It is common to experience extra stress during tough and changing times. However, when these negative feelings persist and prevent you from accomplishing daily activities and interacting with others, it could be a sign of a more serious condition.
The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities would like Tennesseans to be aware of National Depression Screening Day on Thursday, October 7, 2010. Screenings are free and open to the public. Screening participants can take an anonymous test to check for signs of depression or a related disorder, and, if such signs are present, resources will be available on how to seek affordable help.
TDMHDD is sponsoring free depression screenings on Thursday, October 7th in Conference Rooms A and B in the Cordell Hull Building, located at 425 5th Avenue North in Nashville, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 1-800-560-5767 or 615-532-6700. Walk-ins are also welcome, and all screenings are confidential. Those persons interested in doing a free online screening can visit www.mentalhealthscreening.org.
“It is so important that persons feeling down for a long period of time due to multiple environmental stressors seek the needed assistance that can help them address these feelings. Times will get better,” stated TDMHDD Commissioner Virginia Trotter Betts. “It is completely normal to be fearful, angry, or shocked about losses such as relationships, jobs or financial security. If you find yourself withdrawing from daily activities that are usually satisfying, it is important to know that there are people out there who care and want to help.”
Some facts about depression:
- Each year, depressive disorders affect approximately 9.5 percent of Tennesseans age 18 and older.
- A depressive episode may be triggered by trauma, loss of a loved one, or hard financial times. Subsequent depressive episodes may occur with or without an obvious trigger.
- More than 80 percent of people with clinical depression can be successfully treated.
- Along with seeking professional help, maintaining a healthy diet, a regular sleep and exercise schedule, and refraining from excessive alcohol and substance use aid in successfully addressing stress, depression, and anxiety.
To find a National Depression Screening Day event in your area, please visit www.mentalhealthscreening.org. For additional mental health and substance abuse information please contact the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities’ Office of Communications at (615) 253-4812 or visit www.tn.gov/mental.
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