Millions Affected By Depression

Dear Ann Landers: Last year, you printed a column about National Depression Screening Day. It listed signs of depression and urged readers to call the hotline number if they or a loved one showed those signs. If I hadn’t read that column, my friend would still be struggling in her own personal hell.

When I looked at the symptoms you listed, I recognized her immediately. I called the hotline number in your column and found out where the nearest screening site was. I knew it would be hard to get my friend to leave her home, but I persisted and practically dragged her to the free screening at our local mental health center.

That was a turning point for her. She now has a renewed spirit and is filled with anticipation and the hope of a better life. She and I have spread the exciting news to many other depression sufferers and let them know that just one phone call made the difference.

Please tell your readers when National Depression Screening Day will take place this year so their loved ones can get the help they need. Thank you so much, Ann, on behalf of my friend and others like her. - Peggy in Atlanta

Dear Peggy: Depression strikes 17 million Americans each year, and less than half of them receive the treatment they need. This is tragic because more than 80 percent of people with depression can be treated successfully with medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both.

Common symptoms include a persistent, sad, anxious or “empty” mood, difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite and loss of pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. Depressed people often have difficulty concentrating and may experience feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and guilt. Many have thoughts of death or suicide. Unfortunately, more than 40,000 depressed people kill themselves every year.

This year, National Depression Screening Day will be Thursday, Oct. 9. The program is free, and no participant need give his or her name. Last year, over 85,000 people attended National Depression Screening Day at 2,800 sites across the country. More than 70 percent were referred for a full evaluation.

For those who may be experiencing symptoms of depression or know someone who is, please call the toll-free number that has been set up especially for my readers. It is 1-800-242-2211 (TTY for the hearing impaired is 1-800-855-2880). These numbers 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 and 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. If you have a friend or loved one who may be depressed, please do whatever is necessary to get him or her to a screening site. 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 not to an illness that is treatable. Once again, the number is 1-800-242-2211. If you feel depressed, make that call now. It could be the most important call you will ever make.