National Depression Screening Day 2024: Messages, Quotes, Wishes, Captions, Greetings, Images

October 6 is observed as National Depression Screening Day. For 25 years, hospitals, clinics, schools, and community organizations across the country have used the first full week of October as a time to educate patients on depression and provide individuals with screenings for a series of behavioral and mental health disorders.

The National Depression Screening Day is an opportunity for everyone, regardless of their medical history, to prioritize their mental health by making an appointment with a medical professional or conducting a self-assessment for depression and other emotional disorders. This is also an opportunity to check with family and friends who are suffering from depression and make sure they feel supported.

Today also:

• National Noodle Day
• National Mad Hatter Day
• National Plus Size Appreciation Day
• National Transfer Money to Your Daughter Day

Some Symptoms of Depression

Recognizing depression is not always easy, especially because certain symptoms may also be related to other stressors, such as work, relationships, or other things that happen in daily life. It is normal to feel sad from time to time, but it is important to recognize when these feelings become difficult to deal with and do not disappear over time or interfere with daily activities. The National Depression Screening Day is a good time to reflect on whether you or those around you are affected by depression symptoms. Some symptoms of depression to be aware of include:

• Feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, and pessimism
• Sleep too much or too little
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Lose interest in things you usually like
• Physical side effects, including pain, cramps, or digestive problems
• Suicidal thoughts

Some Facts about Depression

• Depression is a common but severe mood disorder. Symptoms of a depressive episode may include: loss of interest in previously liked things, weight changes, trouble sleeping or oversleeping, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide.
• There are about 17.3 million adults in the United States who have had major depressive experience (7.1% of all American adults).
• A personal or family history of depression, major life changes, trauma, stress, and certain medications may lead to a higher risk of depression.
• There are about 3.2 million in the United States who have had one major depressive experience (13.3% of the 12 to 17-year-old population in the US).
• Anxiety is closely related to depression. Approximately 50% of people detected with depression are also identified with anxiety.
• Depression is the leading cause of disability among people aged 15 to 44 in the United States. Women are affected by depression double than men
• There is no complete medication for depression, but common treatments include antidepressant drugs, traditional forms of psychotherapy, or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
• In 2017, an estimated 264 million people worldwide suffered from depression.
• There are many types of depression, such as persistent depression, postpartum depression, psychotic depression, seasonal affective disorder, and major depression.
• Depression is the main factor contributing to the overall global burden of disease.

How To Prevent and Avoid Depression

Avoid stress

There is evidence that there is a link between stress and depression or anxiety. People who are prone to depression may have a higher risk of depression if they have chronic stress.

Exercise

Research shows that physical exercise can have an anti-depressant effect, and experts encourage doctors to use it as a treatment.

Diet

A healthy diet may help prevent depression and promote mental health. Studies have shown that the following foods may help. Fresh fruits and vegetables, green tea, soy products, healthy oils, fish.

Sleep

There is a solid connection between depression and insomnia. Lack of sleep may aggravate the symptoms of depression, which is also a common symptom.

Alcohol and drug use

The habit of alcohol and some recreational drugs can raise the hazard of depression and make symptoms worse. People who use drugs or alcohol in unhealthy ways and suffer from depression may need help for both conditions.

Talk therapy

Counseling can help people regulate the cause of depression and find useful solutions.

National Depression Screening Day Messages

♦ For a healthy lifestyle, it’s essential that we keep ourselves checked both physically and mentally.

♦ People think of mental instability as a regular part of their life and treat it as a common trait of day to day life.

♦ A study shows about (6.67)% of people all over the United States Of America suffer from severe clinical depression.

♦ It’s crucial never to let your gut feeling go in vain, and do a regular mental health screening.

♦ Depression is life-threatening, yet it can be cured with proper help and monitoring.

♦ Chronic depression can have significant impacts on an individual’s mind and body.

♦ Depression is slow and dangerous; if not treated well, it can kill you. We don’t intend to scare you, but it’s evidence-based.

♦ There are more than millions of cases a year, where we find suicide cases caused by mental illness or depression.

♦ If you’re depressed and you don’t have any friends, then make sure you spend your time with your family.

♦ There is nothing to be ashamed of if you’re depressed. You can quickly see a doctor and tell him about your problems. Make sure you do not take any harsh steps in the future.

♦ Depression can happen to anyone irrespective of their age or their social and economic status.

♦ A healthy, happy individual can get severe depression and can be unaware of it. Hence it’s crucial to have regular screening of depression.

♦ Anxiety is a part of depression. While anxiety can be short and temporary, depression prevails long and sometimes for a lifetime.

♦ Some symptoms of depression include constant headache, empty gut feeling, fatigue, over or less eating, sleeping disorders, etc. Do Not hesitate to seek help if you have any of the symptoms.

♦ There are many forms of depression, and it hits individuals in different states.

♦ Many women of 45-50 are most likely to suffer from acute depression due to hormonal imbalance and menopause.

♦ People who suffer from long-term diseases are also prone to depression, which is a topic of concern!

♦ Depression can also happen to people who are wealthy and successful. People who are blessed abundantly can also face depression.

♦ Depression is a state where you most probably lose interest in doing your favorite things.

♦ Maybe you don’t enjoy your favorite dish or don’t like your favorite riverside evening where you used to chill the most.

♦ Depression is a constant disappointment you feel inside yourself; it’s a continuous empty feeling that grows all over your stomach and then captures all your body and your system.

♦ It makes you weak, less energized, and most probably dull and a life full of dullness.

♦ Make an appointment with your nearby clinic to get your screening done.

♦ There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, and if you slightly feel uneasy dealing with everyday life and have constant complaints, listen to us, and seek help.

National Depression Screening Day quotes

• “Depression isn’t just being a bit sad. It’s feeling nothing. It’s not wanting to be alive anymore.” – J. K. Rowling
• “There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” – Laurell K. Hamilton
• “You don’t have to control your thoughts; you just have to stop letting them control you.” – Dan Millman
• “Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest, and best things you will ever do.” ― Stephen Fry
•  “Depression is like a bruise that never goes away. A bruise in your mind. You just got to be careful not to touch it where it hurts. It’s always there, though.” ― Jeffrey Eugenides, The Marriage Plot
• “Depression is your body saying, ‘I don’t want to be this character anymore. I don’t want to hold up this avatar that you’ve created in the world. It’s too much for me. You should think of the word ‘depressed’ as ‘deep rest.’ Your body needs to be depressed. It needs deep rest from the character that you’ve been trying to play.” — Jim Carrey
• Depression lies. It tells you you’ve always felt this way, and you always will. But you haven’t, and you won’t. — Halley Cornell

FAQs on National Depression Screening Day

1. When is National Depression Screening Day observed?

National Depression Screening Day is annually observed on Thursday of every first full week of October in US.

2. What screening is used for depression?

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is widely used to screen for depression and to measure behavioral manifestations and severity of depression.

3. What is the most common age to be diagnosed with depression?

The percentage of adults who experienced any symptoms of depression was highest among those aged 18–29 (21.0%), followed by those aged 45–64 (18.4%) and 65 and over (18.4%), and lastly, by those aged 30–44 (16.8%).

Conclusion

It is not always possible to prevent or avoid depression, but there are effective treatments, and some lifestyle choices can help control symptoms and prevent a recurrence. If the symptoms of depression are severe, or a person is considering self-harm, death, or suicide, they should seek medical attention immediately. National Depression Screening Day helps us to avoid depression or depression-related mental disorders.