Health Center to test for depression

According to the National Mental Health Association, more than 19 million American adults are affected by depression each year. \nThe group's Web site says roughly 10 percent of college students have been diagnosed as suffering from the disease. Psychologist Carolyn Lee said suicide is the third highest cause of death in people ages 15-24 and the second highest cause of death among college students.\nIn support of National Depression Screening and Awareness Day, the IU Health Center Counseling and Psychological Services, Sexual Assault Crisis Services and Health and Wellness Education will provide free and anonymous depression screenings for students. \nNational Depression Screening and Awareness Day is sponsored nationally by Screening for Mental Health, Inc. SMH created this day in response to the increased prevalence of behavioral issues and disorders on college campuses, according to the SMH Web site. \nThe screening will take place today at three different locations: Woodburn Hall, Read Center Dining Hall and the School of Education Atrium. Screenings are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.\nSMH provides in-person depression screening kits for all screening sites. The kit provides screening tools for depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety. It contains education materials for students and event planning materials and screening instrument for college staffs. The instrument is a 20-question form that includes yes or no questions and rating scales regarding various symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.\nAccording to Lee, one of the event's coordinators, the brief screening begins with a preliminary quiz. Then, if participants want to continue with the screening, they can fill out the form.\n"The answers to the form suggest whether a person would benefit from a complete evaluation," Lee said.\nCaPS Chief Psychologist Nancy Stockton added that depression screening days "help students feel more comfortable making initial contact with psychologists and screening sights are good options to formal contact. They act as a kind of gateway." \nResults from National Depression Screening Day college sites show that out of 8,026 in-person screenings given last year, 39 percent scored positive for depression, 14 percent scored positive for bipolar disorder, 44 percent scored positive for generalized anxiety disorder, and 36 percent scored positive for post-traumatic stress disorder.\nAccording to CaPS, symptoms of depression include persistent sad, anxious or "empty" moods, feelings of pessimism and guilt, loss of interest in ordinary activities, changes in appetite and sleeping patterns, difficulty concentrating, low energy and thoughts of death or suicide.\n-- Contact staff writer Stephanie Susman at ssusman@indiana.edu.