National Depression Screening Day® Oct. 5, 2017
WELLESLEY, Mass., Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Depression Screening Day, created by the nonprofit Screening for Mental Health, will be recognized on Thursday, Oct. 5 this year, and the theme is #SpeakYourMind. Whether people open up to one person about their mental health, reach out to a professional, or become a mental health advocate, speaking up is the first step in getting help and fighting the stigma.
As part of our campaign, we're asking people to share a story at HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org about how they opened up about their mental health and how it improved their lives. When people share their experience, it not only helps ease their burden, but it helps others learn that they are not alone in their struggles. It also encourages others to share their stories and seek help that could change their lives.
This year we've also created an online promotional toolkit, which includes shareable images, pre-written social media posts, and more, to make it easier for organizations to spread the word and help more individuals have the chance to speak their minds. You can use the hashtag #SpeakYourMind and #NDSD to help promote the awareness day.
Please see below for more information about NDSD.
Fact Sheet
Visit www.HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org to locate a mental health screening site or take an online screening.
WHAT: National Depression Screening Day (NDSD), held annually on the Thursday of the first full week in October, is dedicated to raising awareness and screening people for depression and related mood and anxiety disorders. NDSD is the nation's oldest voluntary, community-based screening program that gives access to validated screening questionnaires and provides referral information for treatment.
This year's theme, Speaking Your Mind, focuses on talking about your experience with mental health. Whether you tell one person, talk to a doctor or mental health professional or become an advocate for mental health awareness, it's important to share your story to help yourself and help others. You can help support the campaign by using the hashtags #NDSD and #SpeakYourMind. Please join us this National Depression Screening Day and help us spread the word to increase awareness of mental health.
WHERE: NDSD takes place nationwide. Individuals can locate a mental health screening site or take an online screening by visiting www.HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org.
WHEN: NDSD is October 5, 2017, but screenings may be available in your area as early as September 1, 2017.
HOW: Thousands of organizations register to host an NDSD event each year. The organizations, which include hospitals, community centers, social service agencies, government organizations, older adult facilities, colleges, secondary schools and military installations, provide information about mood and anxiety disorders and offer screenings—in-person or online—to their community. After completing a screening, individuals receive referral information to local agencies that offer further evaluation and treatment if needed.
WHY: Depression screening is effective in linking at-risk individuals with treatment options. Results from a 2009 independent research study by the University of Connecticut and commissioned by Screening for Mental Health confirm this connection. The study showed that 55% of participants who completed an online depression screening and who agreed to participate in a follow-up survey sought depression treatment within three months of the screening.
SOURCE Screening for Mental Health
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