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Newtown, CT, USA
Newtown, CT, USA
Newtown, CT, USA
Newtown, CT, USA
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Free Anonymous Screenings Statewide On National Depression Screening Day

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Free Anonymous Screenings Statewide On National Depression Screening Day

On Thursday, October 11, colleges, senior centers, hospitals, and community health facilities around Connecticut will provide free anonymous screenings for depression to people of all ages, insured or uninsured.

The free screenings provide resources to help detect and treat depression. The public is invited to dial 211 toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week (multilingual staff and TDD access available) or visit HealthyMindsCT.org for details.

The Southwest Regional Mental Health Board, Inc reminds residents that it is important to learn the signs and symptoms of depression, such as changes in appetite, loss of energy, prolonged worry, anger, sorry, sadness, or frustration, or loss of interest in a person’s usual activities. Too often, misconceptions and stigma associated with mental illness prevent people from seeking treatment.

Excuses range from “I can handle it myself” to the old “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” attitude, to “What will my family and friends think if they know I suffer depression or anxiety?” Although treatment is effective and people do recover, most people wait years before seeking help.

Individuals who are concerned about themselves or a loved one are encouraged to visit one of the 19 free screening sites in Fairfield County on October 11.

Depression affects nearly 121 million people worldwide and is the second leading contributor to shorter lifespan and poor health for individuals 15 to 44 years of age, according to the Geneva-based WHO’s World Mental Health Survey Initiative. A study by the World Health Organization found that one in five people (19.2 percent) in the United States reported having an extended period of depression within their lifetime.

The report also found that women were twice as likely to experience depression, and the strongest link to depression was separation or divorce from a partner.

With medication, talk therapy, and support from family, friends and the community, people recover from depression and other mental illness and live productive healthy lives. Recovery rates for mental illnesses are higher than rates for many other physical illnesses, including heart disease.

According to the National Advisory Mental Health Council, 65 to 80 percent of persons with major depression and 80 percent of persons with bipolar disorder will recover.

National Depression Screening Day in Connecticut is sponsored by the Southwest Regional Mental Health Board, Inc, Purdue Pharma, Connecticut Health Foundation, United Way, and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services.

Screening locations include Optimus Health Care, Greenwich Hospital, Mitchell College, Sacred Heart University, Manchester Community College, Connecticut College, Fairfield University, Norwalk Community College, Three Rivers Community College, Housatonic Community College, University of Bridgeport, UConn-Stamford, St Vincent’s Behavioral Health Services, Norwalk Senior Center, Darien Senior Center, Fairfield Senior Center, Eastside Senior Center, Baldwin Senior Center, and Greenwich Department of Social Services.

National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) is a free screening and educational event held annually during Mental Illness Awareness Week. Originally designed to call attention to depression, the program has evolved into a screening and awareness program for depression and related mood and anxiety disorders.

NDSD is the nation’s oldest voluntary, community-based screening program that provides referral information for treatment. More than half a million people each year have been screened for depression since the program was initiated in 1991.

For additional details and facts about National Depression Screening Day, visit MentalHealthScreening.org.

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