Leaving home for a new location and being away from family for the first time can lead to homesickness. Then, again, years later, leaving school causes another major adjustment that can lead to loneliness. These feelings are normal, but they can also suggest a more serious problem.
National Depression Screening Day
New attention to the benefits of screening is being given on October 7th, National Depression Screening Day. College students, the general public, and military service people and veterans can all find free on-line screening and a counselor to talk to if the screening determines a need for further assistance.
SMH, or Screening for Mental Health Inc., is a non-profit organization which first developed wide scale screening services and techniques, such as the on-line tests provide. National Depression Screening was given a day, October 7th, back in 1991 to teach people about the signs of depression and other illnesses which have signs that can mimic depression, or which can result from untreated depression such as alcohol problems.
Depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, alcohol problems, and suicide prevention are part of the determined results of the screenings.
So a Screening Won't Lead to Undue Humiliation Always Choose Anonymous
People from teenagers to the elderly are eligible for taking the anonymous tests on-line. To meet with counselors, however, if under 18 and suffering from an eating disorder, there does not seem to be much actual human contact with a counselor yet information about where to turn can be found on-line. Also, the testing was meant to serve large corporations and HMOs in reducing the numbers of patients requiring human contact to determine if problems exist.
The online screening eliminates the patient who goes in with concerns but does not show any reason to be seen further on the topic. Making sure the test results remain anonymous is a cornerstone of SMH. This way, sufferers who might be skeptical or anxious about who has access to test screening results can relax and answer honestly, knowing the only intent of the test is to provide an avenue to heal oneself. No one wants to suffer unnecessary health problems, especially mental health symptoms like excessive depression, reoccurring nightmares, or eating disorders.
Like Collegiates, Other Populations Are More Susceptible to Symptoms or Allegations
Certain populations are more at risk than others, and typically, these populations have less access to caring professionals with the latest research in aiding mental health sufferers. College students, late high school students (seniors and juniors), the elderly, veterans, and alone housewives who would like to remain anonymous have access now to preliminary screening and mental health advice for where to turn.
This October 7th, take the screening test if you have suffered these symptoms in the last 3 months:
- Less pleasure from things typically enjoyed – a ‘this isn’t fun anymore’ feeling without reason.
- Overwhelmed by daily stress and events which did not overwhelm before, such as in the last six months or year.
- Can’t get out of bed feeling, or dragging through the day.
Tell Friends and Roommates Yet Also be Flexible to Butting Out
Roommates, friends, and family might also be interested in knowing about the self-assessment screening and the National Depression Screening Day. Just remember, a roommate who sleeps all day or a teen family member who doesn’t want to stay home for movie night any longer is NOT a candidate for overly concerned — or neglected — on-looker diagnosis. Nothing leads up to a fight quicker than a mental health accusation thrown down by a do-gooder butting in. Insisting personal habits and waning attentions of a friend, roommate, or family member is depressed due to a list of online symptoms simply isn’t fair.
To some people more sleep is natural and healthy, and to some people - especially acceptable in an college atmosphere - sleep ‘catch-up’ days intersperse sleep deprived days and this is nothing to worry about if chosen as a temporary adjustment to a lifestyle. People who work on deadlines or complete works of art that require more energy during the process of creating also typically choose such sleep habits rather than being drawn down by them. Teens also are naturally less interested in such things as family involvement than at more family-orientated ages such as 5, 7, and 11; but losing interest can also be a sign of stress or sadness. It is always a good idea to talk to teens who appear to have withdrawn, but do not accuse as this symptom is sometimes part of becoming an independent, less family dependent person.
Staying the house all day also might be a symptom, such as anxiety or sadness, but it also might mean an epic chapter is being written, or a new hobby is taking up the usual outdoor time. Be aware, however, that creative lifestyles, college lifestyles, and house bound homemaking can often be more susceptible to symptoms of depression as well as scrutiny. Be aware that sufferers of depression — and mental health illnesses whose symptoms include or align themselves with depression — seek relief from depressive symptoms, and so the conversation will be easy, the sufferer welcoming a cure and the opportunity to heal oneself by participating. It’s good to screen, and do this today!
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