In 1990, Screening for Mental Health (www.mentalhealthscreening.org) pioneered National Depression Screening Day as the first voluntary mental health screening initiative. Screening for Mental Health states “We envision a world where mental health is viewed and treated with the same gravity as physical health, and the public’s participation in National Depression Screening Day helps make that vision a reality.”
National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) is held annually on the Thursday of the first full week in October, which falls on October 6th this year. It is typically an education and screening event conducted by hospitals, clinics, colleges, and community groups nationwide. Much like the medical community screens for diabetes and high blood pressure, Screening for Mental Health wanted to offer large-scale mood disorder screenings for the public. The program provides free, anonymous screenings for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as referral to treatment resources if warranted. Screenings are held both online and in-person and thousands of people participate each year.
This year’s focus is on suicide prevention and learning the part that we all can play in recognizing warning signs and taking the correct action steps to help a friend or loved one in need. Google National Depression Screening Day 2016 to learn more and help spread the word to increase awareness of mental health.
FACTS ABOUT DEPRESSION
General
- Each year 42,773 Americans die by suicide
- 70% of individuals tell someone or give warning signs before taking their own life
- Suicide rates overall have increased by 24 percent from 1999 to 2014
- Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44
- Depression affects more than 15 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.
Youth
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth aged 11-18, and the 10th leading cause of death overall in the United States
- 17.7% of students in grades 9-12 seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, and 14.6% made a plan
- The rate of suicide attempts is 4 times greater for LGB youth and 2 times greater for questioning youth than that of straight youth
- Nearly half of young transgender people have seriously thought about taking their lives, and one quarter report having made a suicide attempt
Men
- Men die by suicide 3.5x more often than women
- Suicide rates for men ages 45 to 64 increased by 43 percent between 1999 and 2014
Veterans
- Veterans have rate of suicide 50% higher than the rate among other civilians with similar demographic characteristics
- The Veterans Crisis Line (800-273-8255, Press 1), has had more than 2 million callers since it was established in 2007, with nearly a quarter of those calls — 490,000 — coming in last year
Lynn is the dedicated Behavioral Health and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resource for one of Anthem’s largest groups. She has worked for Anthem over 17 years and has over 30 years’ experience in behavioral health. Lynn received a dual bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.