ANN ARBOR, MI - Depression affects 18 million adults in the United States annually. In Michigan alone, 1.5 million are at risk each year, and 500,000 are dealing with depression at any point in time.

To call attention to the prevalence of depression in our society; educate people about the signs and symptoms of illness and the availability of effective treatments; and to connect those in need to community resources, representatives from the University of Michigan Depression Center will provide a lecture/information session in the downtown Ann Arbor Public Library's Multi-Purpose Room, from 6 - 8:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 3 , in observance of National Depression Screening Day (Oct. 6).

At 6 p.m. , an expert from the Depression Center will give a brief talk on depression and answer questions. Following the presentation, participants will receive a free confidential screening for depression with individualized, informational feedback from a health care provider. Depression literature and a list of community resources also will be available. Refreshments will be served.

Through a unique collaboration of research, patient care, education and public policy, the Depression Center is dedicated to finding better ways to detect depression earlier, treat it earlier and more effectively, prevent progression, and reduce the stigma associated with depression.

National Depression Screening Day, founded by the organization "Screening for Mental Health, Inc.," is a national, annual event to increase the diagnosis and treatment of depression.

The Downtown Library is at 343 South Fifth Ave. in Ann Arbor . For more information, call Trish Meyer at the Depression Center, at (734) 763-7495.

Written by Jessica Soulliere

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