Screening Catches the Blues

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   The University of Arkansas--Monticello Counseling and Testing Services and Student Health Services held National Depression Screening Day Oct.6 in the Gibson University Center Green Room  from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

   The event offered free, anonymous mental health screenings for depression, bi-polar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Forty-seven people attended the event and participated in a four part screening form.

   "The benefit of the screening is to identify possible risk factors," said Terri Richardson, director of Student Health Services.

   According to the National Institute of Mental Health, clinical depression is a common, frequently unrecognized illness that can be effectively treated. Clinical depression can affect one's body, mood, thoughts and behavior. It can also change eating habits, how one feels and thinks about things, the ability to work and study and how one interacts with people.

   With correct treatment however, 80 percent of those who seek help get better. The first step in defeating depression is recognizing it; it is normal to have some signs of depression some of the time. But five or more symptoms for two weeks or longer, or noticeable changes in usual functioning, all exist as factors that should be evaluated by a health or mental health professional. The following symptoms of major depression or impairing episodes of depression can occur once, twice or several times in a lifetime:

   College can provide excessive stress for many students because of greater academic demands; being alone in a new environment; changes in family relations; financial responsibilities; changes in social life; exposure to new people, ideas and temptations; awareness of sexuality identity and orientation; and preparing for life after graduation. Psychological make-up can also contribute to vulnerability to depression. People with low self-esteem, who consistently view themselves and the world with pessimism, or become readily overwhelmed by stress, may be especially prone to depression.

   Great deals of depressed people, especially teenagers, also have problems with alcohol or other drugs. Sometimes the depression comes first and people try drugs as a way to escape. Other times, the alcohol or other drug use comes first, and depression will be caused by the drug itself, withdrawal from it or the problems that substance use causes.

   Several effective treatments for depression exist and can provide relief from symptoms in just a few weeks. The most commonly used treatments are psychotherapy, antidepressant medication or a combination of the two. The best treatment for an individual depends on the nature and severity of the depression.

   After students at the National Depression Screening completed the necessary form, Richardson and Laura Hughes, director of Counseling and Testing, scored the material. They decided, based on the results, whether or not to refer students to their services, outpatient counseling or, if necessary, treatment off-campus at Delta Counseling.

   "Sometimes we also do follow-up visits to check on the progress of the person as needed," Richardson said.

    For more information about depression screening, call Hughes at 460-1454 or Richardson at 460-1051. Information may also be found at the National Mental Health Association at www.nmha.org. This association also has a hotline to call at 800-228-1114.

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