GALION — Thirty percent of adults reported they or a family member had been diagnosed with or treated for depression, according to the 2016 Crawford County and Galion City Community Health Assessment.
On May 18, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Galion City Health Department, Community Counseling and the Galion City Health Department are teaming up to provide free depression screenings. This event will coincide with Third Fridays in Galion and will be held at the health department. All ages are welcome, and no appointment is necessary. As a bonus, there will be a free gift for the first 10 participants.
Whether for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or depression, health screenings provide a quick and easy way to spot the first signs of serious illness and can reach people who might not otherwise seek professional medical advice.
Like screenings for other illnesses, depression screenings should be a routine part of healthcare.
Why Screen for Depression?
Clinical depression is a serious medical illness.
Clinical depression can lead to suicide.
Sometimes people with depression mistakenly believe that the symptoms of depression are a “normal part of life.”
Clinical depression affects men and women of all ages, races and socioeconomic groups.
Only about a third (35.3 percent) of those suffering from severe depression seek treatment from a mental health professional.
Depression can co-occur and complicate other medical conditions.
Screenings are often the first step in getting help.
Who Should Get Screened?
People suffering from depression often experience some of these key symptoms:
A persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
Sleeping too little, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
Restlessness or irritability
Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
Fatigue or loss of energy
Thoughts of death or suicide
