Every year in October, Baptist Regional Medical Center offers free depression screenings as part of National Depression Screening Day, an event which educates people about depression, destigmatizes the illness and finds help for those who are suffering from this disabling disorder.

Participants at the Baptist Regional Medical Center Depression Screening hear a brief lecture on the causes, symptoms and treatments of depression followed by a short video. Participants then complete an anonymous written screening test for depression and have the opportunity to discuss the results with a mental health professional.

An estimated 17 million Americans suffer from depressive illness every year, and the majority don't get any help, because their symptoms aren't recognized, are blamed on a personal weakness or are so disabling that sufferers can't muster the energy to get treatment. Fortunately, 80 percent of those suffering from depression can be treated successfully.

For more information about the program, call the Trillium Center at (606) 523-8779 or 1-800-395-4435.

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