Depression Awareness Week |
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Depression Awareness Week (formerly Depression Screening Day) will be held
on October 3rd to 9th, 2010. (For more information call us at 514-486-1448) The History and Development of Depression Screening Day The cost associated with depression, in both economic terms and human suffering, is tremendous. The majority of depressed people do not receive treatment because their symptoms are not recognized, are blamed on personal weakness, are so disabling that people cannot go for help, or are misdiagnosed and thus incorrectly treated. In the year 2000 only six percent of Canadians suffering from depression were diagnosed and properly treated.
Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Douglas G. Jacobs originated the concept of a
large-scale mental health screening in 1990 with National Screening Day (NSD).
Its purpose was to call attention to the illness of depression on a national
level, to educate the public about its symptoms and effective treatment, to
offer individuals the opportunity to be screened for depression and to connect
those in need of treatment with the mental healthcare system. Provided free to the public, this mental health outreach program is designed to coincide with Mental Illness Awareness Week, the first full week in October. NSD generally includes an educational component, a written screening form to be completed anonymously by the participant, a short interview with a mental health professional and a referral for a complete evaluation if indicated. NDSD does not attempt to offer a diagnosis, but points out to participants the presence or absence of depressive symptoms and offers a referral for further evaluation.
October 7, 1999, marked the first large-scale Depression Screening Day (DSD)
ever held in Quebec. Initiated by AMI-Québec, and based on the U.S. model, DSD
was a joint collaboration with healthcare providers in the west-end sector of
Montreal. It included a free test with analysis by a health professional and,
when required, referral to appropriate resources. In 2005, Depression Screening Day was expanded to a week long campaign, aimed at increasing public awareness of the prevalence of depression and effective treatment options. A variety of activities are held by participating partners each year.
Similar programs can be implemented in any community, according to the local needs and resources.
Information can be obtained by contacting:
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