University Healthcare Berkeley Medical Center Participating
In October 8th National Depression Screening Day
10/7/2015
MARTINSBURG, W.VA. – University Healthcare Berkeley Medical Center officials announced today that behavioral health staff will participate in National Depression Screening Day, an annual event that occurs each October in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week.
On Thursday, October 8, behavioral health staff will be offering educational materials and confidential depression screenings from 9 am until 3 pm in the main lobby at Berkeley Medical Center. These screenings are free and open to the public.
According to Katherin Weiss, director of behavioral health services at Berkeley Medical Center, National Depression Screening Day calls attention to depression as an illness and a public health issue. “Depression affects more than 19 million American adults each year, accounting for more than $43 billion in medical costs and $17 billion in lost job productivity each year,” Weiss added.
Screening for depression is important for many reasons. If untreated, depression can become a serious medical illness that may lead to suicide. It is an illness that affects males and females of all ages, races and socio-economic groups. Depression can also complicate other medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease.
National Depression Screening Day is designed to provide a quick and easy way to learn more about depression. Participants will have the opportunity to complete a confidential depression screening questionnaire and discuss the results with a mental health professional. If necessary, individuals will be referred for a complete evaluation. A referral list of mental health clinicians and treatment facilities will be available along with materials about depression and other mood disorders.
“Two thirds of people who have depression do not seek treatment and more than 80% of all cases of depression can be effectively treated with medication, talk therapy or a combination of both,” Weiss said, adding, “That’s why it’s important that we offer this screening free of charge as a preventive measure.”
For more information on National Depression Screening Day, call the behavioral health unit at Berkeley Medical Center at 304.264.1230.