If You Need This Free Help, Get It

Dear Ann Landers: In 1994, an elderly man who was suicidal held on for one more day when he heard about the National Depression Screening Day toll-free number. He found out that a free, anonymous screening for depression was being offered in his neighborhood and decided to go. The man was given emergency treatment. It probably saved his life.

In 1995, at another National Depression Day screening, I received a call from a man who had found his neighbor in bed, despondent. He thought his neighbor may have taken an overdose of medication. I called the proper authorities, who handled the matter. I later learned the neighbor was extremely depressed and in desperate need of treatment. Ann, the National Depression Screening Day saves lives. It is a wonderful opportunity for people to learn about this illness without being frightened and without having to give their names. This screening service is free.

Last year, your column brought tens of thousands of people to screenings who otherwise would never have gotten help. That column helped a lot of people. I am asking you to again run the the National Depression Screening Day toll-free number and to urge anyone experiencing depression symptoms to take advantage of this year’s program, which will be on Oct. 10.

Symptoms of depression are as follows: feeling downhearted, blue and sad, not enjoying activities that used to be fun, difficulty making decisions, changes in sleep and appetite patterns, and thoughts of death or suicide. Anyone interested in obtaining a screening can find a local site by calling one of two numbers set up especially for your readers: 1-888-782-1000 or 1-800-242-2211 (TTY for the hearing impaired: 1-800-855-2881). These numbers are available 24 hours a day, starting today, Sept. 9.

I will be participating again this year, along with thousands of my colleagues at more than 2,500 sites across the nation. Please tell your readers who may need help to call us. Depression is one of our nation’s most prevalent disorders, despite the fact that it is one of the most treatable. Your column last year allowed us to give a message of hope to so many people. Please tell them again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. - Mark Paul, M.S.W., Springfield, Mass.

Dear Mark Paul: I appreciate the opportunity to again tell my readers about National Depression Screening Day on Oct. 10. The program is free, and no participant need give his or her name.

For those of you experiencing symptoms of depression, or who know someone who is, please call the toll-free numbers that appear in this column. They are available starting today, and you will be told the location of the screening site in your area. The lines are open 24 hours a day.

Screening participants will hear an educational presentation, have the opportunity to take an anonymous, written screening test, pick up educational brochures and meet individually with a clinician for a brief screening interview. Anyone who appears to have symptoms of depression will be directed to a treatment facility in his or her area.

If you think you see yourself in today’s column, don’t fail to follow through. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of. The good news is that it can be treated. Today’s column could change your life. I love my readers and don’t want to lose any of you, especially to a disease that is treatable. The numbers, again, are 1-888-782-1000 and 1-800-242-2211. If you are depressed, make that call now.