Pitt-Bradford and BRMC to offer depression screenings Oct. 6

BRADFORD, PA – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s counseling services and Bradford Regional Medical Center will provide free screening for depression and other mood disorders Oct. 6.

The screening will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons. The screenings are free and open to the public.

Oct. 6 is National Depression Screening Day, which raises awareness and screens people for depression and mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. Similar to many physical illnesses, early recognition and treatment offers the best opportunity for recovery from mental illness.

“Mental health deserves the same attention as physical health,” said Dr. Leslie Rhinehart, Director of Counseling Services at Pitt-Bradford. “Our goals for this event are to raise awareness for mental health disorders and connect students who may be struggling with depression or other mood disorders with quality, local treatment options.”

Although the screening are not diagnostic, they can determine whether an individual is exhibiting symptoms associated with depression and other mood disorders and whether they should seek help.

In a recent independent study commissioned by Screening for Mental Health, 55 percent of study participants who completed a depression and mood disorder screening sought treatment within three months.

For more information, visit www.MentalHealthScreening.org or contact Rhinehart at 814-362-7658 or llr5@pitt.edu.