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ANN ARBOR,
MI - The University
of Michigan Depression Center will host National Depression
Screening Day on Thursday, Oct. 10. The event will take place in
the University of Michigan Hospital's Towsley Link at three separate
times: 8 - 10 a.m.; noon - 2 p.m.; and 4 - 6 p.m.
Confidential
depression screenings will be offered at no cost to all interested
U-M faculty, staff and students, as well as to the greater Ann Arbor
community.
Attendees of
the Screening Day will have the opportunity to hear an educational
presentation from a physician, ask the physician questions, complete
a written screening test and talk privately with a mental health
professional. Those who appear to need greater assistance will be
given a list of local referrals. In addition, the participants will
learn more about the Depression Center and its efforts to improve
the care for depression.
Individuals
with depression often feel alone, not realizing that depression
is a wide-spread disease that affects many people. Most people also
do not understand whom the disease affects, how it presents itself,
why, or when. Due to these and other factors, fewer than half of
those suffering from depressive disorders actually receive the treatment
that they so desperately need.
Common symptoms
of depression include a feeling of sadness, loss of pleasure in
usual activities, feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness,
changes in sleep patterns and appetite, loss of energy, restlessness,
and thoughts of death or suicide. In addition, depression often
presents itself in the form of physical symptoms, such as headaches,
back problems and digestive problems.
"Depression
is a very treatable illness. But you have to recognize it before
you can treat it. Screening is that first step on the road to wellness,"
says John Greden, M.D., executive director of the U-M Depression
Center.
This is a free
service and refreshments will be provided.
For more information
about National Depression Screening Day or other events sponsored
by the Depression Center, call (734) 763-7495 or visit www.depressioncenter.org.
The University
of Michigan Depression Center is composed of a collaborative
network of University of Michigan programs and faculty. The Center's
mission is to develop, disseminate, and advance state-of-the-art
science, education, treatment and prevention strategies for Clinical
Depression. The ultimate goal of the Center is to pioneer a new
era in depression care, characterized by a focus on prevention,
an emphasis on earlier detection and true remission, the abolishment
of stigma, and an informed and empowered public.
Written
by: Sarah
Newlin
For more information,
contact Sarah Newlin, by phone at 734-763-7495 or by e-mail at snewlin@umich.edu.
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