National Depression Screening Day Today, Free Screenings for Students

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National Depression Screening day is today, Oct. 9.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at the University of Arkansas is providing free screenings today for depression and other mood disorders in the Arkansas Student Union Connections Lounge, Mullins Library and Pat Walker Health Center from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. today, Oct. 9.

Students interested can go to any of the three locations and complete a short screening and get their results. CAPS will have professional staff on hand to go over the results and talk with students.

National Depression Screening Day raises awareness and screens people for depression and mood disorders and allows individuals to identify warning signs and connect with the appropriate treatment resources. This year’s theme focuses on viewing and treating mental health with the same gravity as physical health. Similar to many physical illnesses, early recognition and treatment offers the best opportunity for recovery from mental illness.

“Mental Health deserves the same attention as physical health,” said Dr. Danette Heckathorn, assistant director of Counseling and Psychological Services, part of the Pat Walker Health Center. “Our goals for this event are to raise awareness for mental health disorders and connect students who may be struggling with depression or other mood disorders with quality, local treatment options.”

Although the screenings are not diagnostic, they will determine if a student is exhibiting symptoms associated with depression and other mood disorders and if they should seek help. In a recent independent study commissioned by Screening for Mental Health, 55 percent of study participants who completed a depression and mood disorder screening sought treatment within three months.

About Screening for Mental Health

Screening for Mental Health Inc., the pioneer of large-scale mental health screening for the public, provides innovative mental health and substance abuse resources, linking those in need with quality treatment options. Screening for Mental Health's programs, offered online and in-person, educate, raise awareness and screen individuals for depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, alcohol use disorders and suicide. Thousands of organizations worldwide including hospitals, military installations, colleges, secondary schools, corporations, utilize our educational and screening programs, and in turn, have reached millions of people ranging from teenagers to adults. For more information about Screening for Mental Health, visit www.MentalHealthScreening.org.