Oct. 5 is National Depression Screening Day, which serves as a reminder that clinical depression is a common medical illness affecting more than 20 million American adults each year. Like screenings for other illnesses, depression screenings should be a routine part of health care.
Work/Life Connections–EAP recommends that employees take a little time out of their day to complete a brief, anonymous and free depression screening using its Depression Screening Assessment Checklist.
Why is this 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.
Other resources from Work/Life Connections-EAP
Wellcast: “Am I Blue or Am I Really Depressed?”
From the Resource Library: Depression
Please note: A screening is not a professional diagnosis. Please consult with licensed professionals if you think you meet criteria for major depressive disorder or any other psychological disorder. Work/Life Connections-EAP’s licensed clinicians support faculty and staff who are dealing with personal or workplace stress. To schedule a confidential appointment, call 615-936-1327.