Today is National Depression Screening Day. Free screenings are taking place in workplaces, malls, colleges, libraries, senior centers, and other locations nationwide. Clinicians are volunteering their time as part of a larger program started in 1991 by Screening for Mental Health, Inc. (SMH), a non-profit organization.
The Patient Health Questionnaire-2 is one of the most common ways to screen for depression. Here are the questions:
People who have a total score of 3 or above are considered to screen positive. It’s important to remember that this tool does not establish a diagnosis of depression; rather, it is a first step intended to identify people who need further evaluation.
Depression is “the most prevalent and treatable mental disorder in primary care.”1
Help is available. If you’d like to attend a free screening in your area, please find one here.