Screening for Depression Can Save Lives

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 6, 2015) — The University of Kentucky Counseling Center will observe National Depression Screening Day, Thursday, Oct. 8, with drop-in screenings from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at two locations on campus.

Free screening locations will be in the South Lobby of the White Hall Classroom Building and in the William T. Young Library near the auditorium entry. For those who cannot attend the screenings in person, online screenings can be completed at http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/univofkentcounseling.

According to 2014 Center for Collegiate Mental Health Annual Report, depression is the second leading presenting concern when college students seek out counseling services.

Characteristics of depression can include low mood, irritability, restlessness, physical concerns such as headaches or stomach issues, difficulty sleeping and fatigue, impaired concentration, judgment, and decision making, loss of interest in activities and withdrawing from others.

These symptoms can have direct implications for student academics. In fact, the 2014 Center for Collegiate Mental Health Annual report found that academic distress is strongly associated with nearly half of college students’ mental health concerns.

Because treatment for depression has been shown to be effective for over 80 percent of those who seek help, services like the UK Counseling Center can have positive implications for student academics and retention. In addition, screening for depression and other mental health concerns are effective in raising awareness of depressive symptoms and connecting at risk individuals with appropriate resources and referrals.