Depression - National Service Project
** All screening/assessment tools are designed to help determine if individuals should see a mental health professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. They are in no way to replace the diagnosis and treatment of mental health professional.**

Why Screen for Depression?

• Clinical depression is a serious medical illness.
• Clinical depression can lead to suicide.
• Sometimes people with depression mistakenly believe that the symptoms of depression are a "normal part of life."
• Clinical depression affects men and women of all ages, races and socioeconomic groups.
• One in four women and one in ten men will experience depression at some point during their lifetime.
• Two thirds of those suffering from the illness do not seek the necessary treatment.
• Depression can co-occur and complicate other medical conditions.
• More than 80% of all cases of clinical depression can be effectively treated with medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both.
• Screenings are often the first step in getting help.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression:

• A persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood
• Sleeping too little, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
• Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Restlessness or irritability
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Thoughts of death or suicide

In addition, look for at least three of the following symptoms, which could indicate the manic phase of manic-depression:

• Inflated ego, envisioning of grand schemes
• Increased energy and decreased need for sleep
• Inappropriate excitement or irritability
• Increased talking and/or moving
• Sexual promiscuity
• Disconnected and racing thoughts
• Impulsive behavior and poor judgment

*For a more detailed mania screening use the Goldberg Mania Inventory http://psychcentral.com/maniaquiz.htm

Another useful website is How Does Depression Feel, which outlines the subtle manifestations of depression. http://blogs.wingofmadness.com/feel/index.php

Ways to Screen:

http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/dsm4TRclassification.htm#Mood

DSM IV Criteria for Depression and Other Mood Disorders. http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/locator/NDSDmap.aspx

Free screenings for Depression can be found at any of the listed NHMA sites spanning the 50 states. http://www.depression-screening.org/

An interactive website dedicated to depression screening sponsored by the National Mental Health Association. http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/events/ndsd/conduct.aspx

Mayo Clinic Depression Self Assessment Screening Survey http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00103_D

The Web Based Depression Assessment Test (WB-DAT) offered by the Depression Center .http://www.depressioncenter.net/wb%2Ddat/

U.S. Preventative Services Task Force Recommendations for Depression Screenings http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsdepr.htm

The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale http://www.idcronline.org/archives/jan01/figure1.pdf

Screening for Mental Health offers online screenings for a variety of mental illnesses including depression. https://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/screening/select_screening.asp

Organizations to partner with:

• American Psychiatric Association
• American Psychological Association
• Anxiety Disorders Association of America
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
• National Center for PTSD
• National Mental Health Association
• SAMHSA Find Treatment Locator

Patient Education Materials Related to Depression:

• “Depression: What It Is and How to Get Help”
• “Depression: How Medicine Can Help”
• “Depression in Children and Teens”
• “Depression in Women”
• “Postpartum Depression and the ‘Baby Blues'”
• “Depression and Older Adults”
• “Depression and Alzheimer's Disease”