Jenny's Quote of the Month:
Imagination is the highest kite one can fly.
~ Lauren Bacall
October Is National Depression Awareness Month
Depression is more than just feeling "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. Depression is a serious illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and can last weeks, months or even years. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with depression cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better.
However, with appropriate treatment most depression is alleviated. The following is a list of depressive symptoms. Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms and others many. Additionally,
having one symptom does not mean you are depressed.
Depression Symptoms
• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
(Please call your EAP or other mental health professional immediately for assistance)
• Restlessness, irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches,
digestive disorders, and chronic pain
The above list may have you wondering about yourself or someone close to you. There is no need to suffer when help is only a phone call away. Please contact your Employee Assistance Program at 800-451-1834 for information about or assistance with depression.
Additional Depression Resources:
www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm
www.stress-anxiety-depression.org/depression
www.healingwell.com/depression/
www.depression.about.com
Resource: National Institute for Mental Health
October 8th is National Depression Screening Day
Screening for Mental Health, Inc., (SMH) first introduced the concept of large-scale mental health screenings with National Depression Screening Day® in 1991. SMH programs now include both in-person and online programs for depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, alcohol problems, and suicide prevention. Programs are implemented by local clinicians at mental health facilities, hospitals, primary care offices, social service agencies, colleges/ universities, workplaces, schools and the military.
Click Here to find a screening site near you or someone you love.
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