National Depression Screening Day – Calgary Counselling Centre

Nearly a decade ago, the World Health Organization predicted that depression would leap from the fourth to the second greatest cause of human suffering and disability by the year 2020. Unfortunately we have already reached this milestone.

Depression does not discriminate affecting men and women, young and old, in every community in Canada. Its impact is felt across multiple spheres – self-esteem, relationships, basic human functions and performance in school or workplace.

Depression is more than a personal struggle. It affects everyone around the depressive person. Almost half of the population, 46% of Albertans, will either suffer from depression or be affected by it while dealing with a friend or family member going through depression.

In Calgary on average, 4 to 8 teenagers are depressed in every classroom and only 1 or 2 of those kids are getting help.

And yet, depression is the most treatable of all mental health issues and the sooner treatments starts the better and faster the results.

Particularly now, with the economic downturn in our province and knowing that there are many individuals and family struggling, it’s crucial that we all screen for depression and get help if we need to. Depression is common, much more common than we think, but it is treatable. No one has to live with depression. The key is to seek help soon.

As part of Calgary Counselling Centre’s objective to raise awareness of mental health issues and to encourage those who need to get help, the Calgary Counselling Centre has a community initiative called National Depression Screening Day (NDSD).

NDSD takes place from October 2 to 8, 2017 and it is a free, short and anonymous online screening test.  The online test takes less than five minutes to complete and it offers individuals the opportunity to be tested for depressive symptoms with complete anonymity, from any computer or mobile device in both English and French.

For those who need help, the Calgary Counselling Centre offers counselling for all ages and symptom areas with no wait list and a sliding fee scale (cost is not a barrier). You can get the help you need when you need it.

If you or anyone you know may be suffering from depression, don’t hesitate. Take the test during the week of October 2-8 and get help if you need it.

Live comes with challenges, but you don’t have to face them alone.

Our Peer Support program services can be accessed over the phone at 403-297-1402 or through email at peer@cmha.calgary.ab.ca.