National Depression Screening Month
October is national depression screening month. We know that there are many causes of clinical depression and that approximately 10% of our population suffers from depression at any given time. During October, we also transition through a time of waning light and increasing darkness as winter approaches. Some people respond to these changes with lowered energy and mood changes. |
 |
If you are troubled by your feelings and not sure if you are depressed you can take a CONFIDENTIAL and FREE screening for depression and other related mood and anxiety disorders: the Depression Self-Assessment is offered by the Mayo Clinic.
The screening allows you to find out whether or not a professional consultation would be helpful to you. Cigna Behavioral Health, the University’s Employee Assistance Program, offers free counseling up to six visits for you and your household members. For more information about this benefit call 1-877-622-4327.
For more resources on the subject, try these links:
National Institute of Mental Health
Information Resources and Inquiries Branch
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Telephone: 1-301-443-4513
FAX: 1-301-443-4279
Depression brochures: 1-800-421-4211
TTY: 1-301-443-8431
FAX4U: 1-301-443-5158
E-mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov
Web: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
Telephone: 1-703-524-7600; 1-800-950-NAMI
A support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illness-over 1,200 state and local affiliates. Local affiliates often give guidance to finding treatment.
Web: http://www.nami.org/Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
730 N. Franklin, Suite 501
Chicago, IL 60601
1-312-642-0049; 1-800-826-3632
Purpose is to educate patients, families, and the public concerning the nature of depressive illnesses. Maintains an extensive catalog of helpful books.
Web: http://www.dbsalliance.org/International Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc.
P.O. Box 2257
New York, NY 10016
1-212-268-4260; 1-800-239-1265
A foundation that informs the public about depressive illness and its treatability and promotes programs of research, education, and treatment.
Web: http://www.ifred.org/Mental Health America
Mental Health America
2000 N. Beauregard Street, 6th Floor Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone (703) 684-7722
Fax (703) 684-5968
Toll free (800) 969-6642
TTY Line 800/433-5959
Web: http://www.nmha.orgCigna Behavioral Health
CIGNA Behavioral Health is a valuable service available to all USM employees, retirees and their household members, at no cost to employees.
Phone: 1-877-622-4327
Web: http://apps.cignabehavioral.com/home.html
