Screening for Mental Health Urges the Public to Act Now to Stop a Suicide as part of the National Depression Screening Day® Campaign
National Depression Screening Day is October 6 and Anonymous Online Screenings are Available to the Public at HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org
BOSTON, Sept. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Screening for Mental Health (SMH), is urging the public to learn the warning signs and action steps to stop a suicide, as part of National Depression Screening Day. The annual campaign, held on October 6, raises awareness for mood disorders, such as depression and provides the public with free, anonymous mental health screenings at helpyourselfhelpothers.org.
This year's campaign focuses on suicide awareness and timely intervention due to the recent rise in suicide rates. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the suicide rate in the United States increased 24 percent from 1999 to 2014, making it the highest it has been in decades. Screening for Mental Health is introducing a public resource, stopasuicide.org, that not only educates the public on the warning signs of suicide, but also provides action steps needed to help individuals get themselves or someone they care about the help they need.
Research shows that 70 percent of those who die by suicide tell someone or give warning signs before taking their own life. This critical information demonstrates the need to educate the public about potentially life-saving information.
"Suicide is a public health issue but it's also an individual, family and community issue and most importantly, it requires action," said Douglas Jacobs, MD, Founder and Medical Director, Screening for Mental Health. "Stopasuicide.org goes beyond awareness to provide the public with the tools need to make a difference in the lives of others, to get people the help they need, save a life, and ultimately, reduce suicides in this country."
Online Screenings
The screenings offered as part of National Depression Screening Day are not diagnostic but will determine if someone is exhibiting symptoms associated with depression and other mood disorders and provide them with vital information as well as resources to seek help.
Stopasuicide.org Partners
Leaders in the mental health community have joined forces with Screening for Mental Health to promote Stopasuicide.org as an important resource for the public. The partners include: The American Psychiatric Association, The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, MHA-NYC, PostSecret, The Mighty, the Will to Live Foundation, Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Athlete Minded, American Council for School Social Work, Teenage Anxiety and Depression Solutions, Connors Climb Foundation, and CHADS Coalition. Partners are continuing to sign on to be a part of National Depression Screening Day and Stopasuicide.org. Visit http://stopasuicide.org/partners-and-resources.php for a complete list of partners.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
About Screening for Mental Health
Screening for Mental Health (SMH), the pioneer of large-scale mental health screening for the public, provides innovative mental health and substance use resources, linking those in need with quality treatment options. Our programs offered online and in-person, educate, raise awareness, and screen individuals for common mental health disorders and suicide. For more information about Screening for Mental Health, visit http://mentalhealthscreening.org.
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SOURCE Screening for Mental Health
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