Health Department offers free screenings for depression
DUPAGE COUNTY—May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the DuPage County Health Department will be offering free depression screenings at specific times and dates at three of its Public Health Centers during the week of May 20.
Each year depression affects from 5 percent to 8 percent of adults in the United States, which means approximately 25 million Americans will have an episode of major depression in any given year. Depression occurs 70 percent more frequently in women than in men.
Without treatment, the frequency and the severity of symptoms tend to increase over time. Left untreated, depression can lead to serious impairment in daily functioning and even suicide, which is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.
Taking a screening test is a quick and easy way to determine if you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Screenings take between 10 and 15 minutes.
The Health Department is offering free screenings on the following dates and times:
• East Public Health Center, 1111 East Jackson Street, Lombard – Monday, May 20, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday, May 22, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• North Public Health Center, 1111 West Lake Street, Addison – Monday, May 20, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday, May 21, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Spanish speaking clinicians available 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on May 20.)
• Central Public Health Center, 111 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton – Monday, May 20, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday, May 23, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Spanish speaking clinicians available from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on May 20 and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on May 23.)
The Health Department offers Behavioral Health Services (BHS) to adults, children and adolescents. Services include group, individual and family counseling, psychiatric evaluation and medication management, case management and crisis intervention. For information about BHS, please contact our intake department at (630) 682-7400.
Individuals in need of crisis services should contact our Crisis Unit at (630) 627-1700. The Health Department is a member of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To access the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, call (800) 273-8255.
For more information on the DuPage County Health Department, follow us on Twitter @DuPageHD or become a fan on Facebook.
###