PRESS RELEASES
Feeling Blue, Anxious or Sad? It Might be Depression
McLean Hospital to hold free depression screening on October 5th.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 22, 2006
CONTACT:
Public Affairs
Adriana Bobinchock
617/855-2110
Belmont, MA - On National Depression Screening Day, Thursday, Oct. 5, Harvard affiliate McLean Hospital will conduct free depression screenings from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm to help individuals identify whether they may have depression and what steps they need to take to obtain proper treatment.
"Some form of depression affects more than 20 million Americans each year, but the good news is that depression is treatable," says James Chu, MD, chief of Hospital Clinical Services for McLean. "I encourage anyone who thinks they, a loved one or a friend may have signs of depression to attend a screening."
Signs of depression include:
- Persistent, sad, anxious or empty mood.
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism.
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness.
- Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities.
- Decreased energy or a feeling of fatigue.
- Restlessness or irritability.
- Inability to sleep or oversleeping.
- Changes in appetite or weight.
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
The confidential screenings include a written self-test, an educational presentation and a one-on-one interview with a McLean health professional to review screening results.
For more information on the free McLean screenings, call 617.855.2323. To locate the screening site closest to you, visit www.mentalhealthscreening.org.
McLean Hospital is the largest psychiatric facility of Harvard Medical School, an affiliate of Massachusetts General Hospital and a member of Partners HealthCare.
