October 10, last Thursday, was National Depression Screening Day, and mental health experts say that just as people might screen for diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure, a depression screening provides a quick way to spot the first signs of a serious mental health issue.
Tom Starling, CEO of the advocacy organization Mental Health America of the MidSouth, says more than 41,000 Tennesseans have completed screenings during the past four years.
“About 90 percent of all suicides are related to undiagnosed mental illness, primarily depression,” Starling points out. “And that’s why it’s important to be preventive and have an early intervention and to know that you’re not alone, that what you’re going through is real, treatable.”
Starling also points to a nationwide crisis text line - a free, 24/7, confidential text message service for people in crisis.
“Just by being able to connect to a trained crisis counselor, 24/7, that’s the best way to go if you’re a youth, or an adult or you’re in a rural area. Text 741-741 to reach a crisis counselor.
