October 3, 2003

The Lubbock Regional MHMR Center will be offering Mental Health Screenings on October 9, 2003 as part of National Depression Screening Day (NDSD). National Screening Day, held in October as part of Mental Illness Awareness Week, is a program of the nonprofit organization, Screening for Mental Health, Inc.  The campaign is designed to build community resiliency and to "call attention to the illnesses of depression, manic-depression, PTSD and anxiety on a national level."

Screenings will be held across the country at approximately 5,000 screening sites, including hospitals, mental health clinics, colleges and primary care offices.  Professional staff will be available at Sunrise Canyon Hospital located at 1950 Aspen Avenue from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm to educate people about depressive and anxiety disorders and allow people to seek help in a non threatening way.  The program is free for all who attend and is completely confidential.    Staff will be able to screen individuals for depression and offer a variety of materials, brochures, and information about the symptoms of depression as well as offer referrals for effective treatment.   No appointment is necessary. 

Depression affects 17 to 20 million Americans each year and often it goes undiagnosed and untreated.  Individuals who are experiencing persistent sadness, anxiety or have been alternating between highs and lows are encouraged to talk privately with a mental health professional.  Individuals who are not able to attend the services offered that day, can call the triage line at 740-1421. 

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