Take part in National Depression Screening Day

An estimated one million people in Wisconsin, and 16 percent of all Americans, are suffering from depression — and many don’t recognize the symptoms or know where to turn for help.

As part of National Depression Screening Day on Thursday, Oct. 11, Wisconsin Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton encourages you to visit her office Web site for a free, confidential depression screening.

"Untreated depression has far-reaching implications for us all," says Lawton. "Medical costs of depressed persons average twice those who are non-depressed, and those suffering from depression are seven times more likely to be unemployed or underemployed."

Participants will simply complete an online survey of twelve questions.  It can be done in total privacy from a personal computer, takes only minutes and, at the end of the screening, participants will be provided immediate feedback on indicators for depression. The participant will also receive a menu of options for ways to address depression indicators.

Last year, 450,000 screenings were conducted nationally on the awareness day, and organizers at the state and national level have set a goal of more than 600,000 screenings this year.

For more information on the program, contact Cecely Castillo at cecely.castillo@wisconsin.gov or (608) 266-3516.