National Depression Screening Day takes place Oct. 5 to raise awareness, promote resources

This year’s National Depression Screening Day takes place Oct. 5. The first National Depression Screening Day was held in 1991, and in 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated its recommendations on screening, which called for all adults to be screened for depression as part of primary care.

The day raises awareness about depression and promotes screening resources to individuals, who can then use them for assistance and treatment.

According to Mental Health America, as with other health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes, many individuals with depression are not aware of their illness. Via MHA, individuals can access 13 online screens 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The screens include depression (this screen is also offered in Spanish), bipolar, anxiety disorder, PTSD, ADHD, substance abuse, psychosis and more.

Take a mental health test today to get started.

Note: These online depression screenings serve as a quick and easy snapshot of an individual’s mental health and a way to spot some early signs of concern. Those whose online screenings prompt concern should speak with their primary care provider or a mental health professional for assistance and guidance.

Individuals who need someone to talk to about their mental health can utilize “warmlines.” A warmline, according to MHA, is a phone number individuals can call for a conversation with someone about their concerns. While warmlines are different from crisis lines, which are designed to help keep someone safe in the moment and connect them to resources as soon as possible, they also can help individuals in crisis get connected with appropriate help.

For those in crisis, these additional resources are available:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – call or text 988; free, confidential support available 24/7/365
• Crisis Text Line – text “HOME” to 741741; free, confidential support available 24/7/365
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – call 800-662-HELP (4357); free and confidential support available 24/7/365
• Be Well Crisis Helpline – call 211 or 866-211-9966; free, confidential support available 24/7/365
• NAMI Helpline – call 800-950-NAMI (6264), text “HelpLine” to 62640 or email helpline@nami.org; free, confidential support available to teens and young adults Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET 

The resources above and below all support the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program. 

ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

To assist faculty and staff

Review the Mental Health Resources webpage for a variety of available resources for faculty and staff, including behavioral health resources for all Purdue campuses and information on Purdue’s health plan coverage for mental health and substance abuse. 

To assist students

Faculty and staff who work with students or have a student at home can direct them to the resources below for behavioral health assistance. Note: United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) — medical plan provider for students and graduate students — offers 292 unique in-network mental health providers serving at various locations within Tippecanoe County. The list is available here. Additionally, students have access to HealthiestYou, which provides virtual access to mental health care as part of UHCSR’s plan. All services are free for students covered under the UHCSR insurance plan. 

Office of the Dean of Students:

• Continuous Network of Support
• Services and Information
• Presentations & Trainings
• Reporting a Student Concern or Issue

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS):

• Therapy Services at CAPS
• Self-help Resources
• Group Therapy
• CAPS YouTube channel
• NAMI On Campus — a free, virtual support group on campus
• Thriving Campus — service that provides students a way to search for mental health providers in many areas, locally and across the country
• TAO — web and app-based mental health resource