For decades, Mental Health Awareness Week has been observed every year during the first full week of October by various association and organizations across Canada and the United States. The purpose is to promote community outreach and public education around mental illness and mental health.
Within Mental Health Awareness Week is National Depression Screening Day (October 10, 2013) and is intended to raise awareness and to educate the public about depression and other mood and anxiety related disorders.
What is mental illness?
Mental illness is marked by a disruption of mood, thoughts and ability to function in your daily life. The disruptions to mood and thought are often overwhelming and can leave a person feeling as though they are unable to cope with life’s demands. Some mental illnesses, such as depression, can be temporary or episodic, while others, such as schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, are life-long. It is not always easy to know if a person is suffering from mental illness, and if they are, sometimes it is unclear as to what illness that might be. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders – IV (DSM-IV) is used by mental health providers to diagnose mental illness. At present, the DSM-IV includes over 300 different mental illnesses. There is no one test that a person can take that will definitively diagnose a mental illness, though tests are given to provide some information. A trained and experienced mental health provider can provide an accurate mental illness diagnosis and suggest appropriate treatment options.
If you suspect that you or a loved one may have depression or another mood related concern, talk to your doctor.
Markers of depression include:
(Most of the days, in the past two weeks)
Inability to feel:
o Pleasure, hope, love, or attachment
o Emotionally “flat”
Thinking:
o Poor concentration due to difficulty pulling thoughts together, slow thinking
Thoughts:
o “I’m disgusting, worthless, inadequate.”
o “I’ve done something wrong; I’m at fault.”
o “Nothing will work out.”
o “Things will never get better”
o “I cannot do anything. Nothing helps.”
o “Death would be a relief.”
Motivation:
o Loss of will, desire, interest
o Avoidance of people, work and activity
Physical:
o Disrupted sleep: too much or too little
o Poor appetite or overeating
o Weight loss or gain
o Reduced or no ability to respond sexually
o Possible crying spells without knowing why
Activity:
o Restless or slowed activity/speech
o Reduced talking, smiling, motion, energy
You can take an anonymous depression screening test at: www.HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org
Additional Mental Health Resources:
http://camimh.ca/about-mental-illness-and-mental-health/
http://mentalhealthweek.cmha.ca/
Local Mental Health Services:
• Leduc Mental Health Clinic (780) 986-2660
Subsidized Counselling:
• FCSS – Leduc (780) 980-7109
• FCSS – Beaumont (780) 929-1369 or (780) 929-3327
• FCSS – Devon (780) 987-8325
• FCSS – Leduc County (780) 979-2385
Supportive Listening:
• Leduc Regional Hub: Tues to Fri 2-6pm, Sat 11am-1pm (780) 739-LHUB (5482)
• Distress Line (780) 482-HELP (4357)
Local Private Counselling:
• Connelly Counselling (780) 237-3510
• Iasis Psychological Services –www.icanheal.ca (780) 739-0707
• Karunia Counselling –www.karunia.ca (780) 628-3939
• Northern Aurora Counselling Services – (780) 980-3747 www.auroracounsellingservices.com
Sheila Gothjelpsen is a Registered Psychiatrist with the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.
Sheila Gothjelpsen is a Registered Psychiatrist with the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.
