October 9, 2003 – Depression Screening 

October 9, 2003

National Depression Screening Day – Oct. 9

As part of Mental Illness Awareness Week 2003, National Depression Screening Day is Thursday, Oct. 9.

The goal is to educate the public about depression, encourage screening and promote awareness of treatment and support, according to Dr. Alberto Colombi, PPG corporate medical director.

“Early recognition, treatment and rehabilitation for depression is one of PPG’s health-care priorities,” Colombi said. “We urge all employees and their family members who may be experiencing depression to get screened and seek help as appropriate, because most cases can be easily treated and managed with early detection.”

Following are some important facts about depression:

• Clinical depression is a disease that affects the way people eat, sleep and generally function, sometimes even presenting symptoms of a physical illness.
• More than 18 million Americans each year suffer from clinical depression.
• One in four women and one in 10 men experience depression at some point in life.
• Clinical depression affects people of all ages, races and socioeconomic groups.
• Two-thirds of those suffering from depression fail to seek treatment.
• More than 80 percent of all clinical depression cases can be treated effectively with medication, psychotherapy or a combination of the two.

PPG’s Employee Assistance Programs offer an array of information, self-help tools and other resources for those suffering from depression.

For more about depression, read the Jan. 13, 2003 edition of Lifestyle Partnership newsletter.