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Mental Health America
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Factsheet: Take a Depression Screening

Whether for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or depression - health screenings provide a quick and easy way to spot the first signs of serious illness and can reach people who might not otherwise seek professional medical advice. Clinical depression is a common medical illness affecting more than 19 million American Adults each year. Like screenings for other illnesses, depression screenings should be a routine part of healthcare.


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.


One of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you have symptoms of depression is by taking a free, confidential depression-screening test.


For More Information:

For help finding treatment, support groups, medication information, help paying for your medications, your local Mental Health America affiliate, and other mental health-related services in your community, please contact us.

If you or someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24 hour crisis center or dial 911 for immediate assistance.


Page last updated: 3/9/2009


Contact Us

Laura Stahl
P.O. Box 51
Seymour, IN 47274
Phone: (812) 522-3480
Fax: (812) 524-8176
E-mail: mhajc@cabjackson.org