Depression screening
Lanis Houser, LSCSW, Emporia
Monday, September 28, 2009
ON OCT. 8, in recognition of National Depression Screening Day, community organizations nationwide will offer free, anonymous mental health screenings to promote public education regarding symptoms of depression, warning signs of suicide, and appropriate action or safety planning.
This year the Healthier Community Alliance-Depression Committee would like to dedicate “National Depression Screening Day 2009” in honor of Ron Scott, LSCSW. In 1975, Mr. Scott was employed at the Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas, Adult Clinical Services. While at the Center, he also edited their newsletter, hosted a talk show with KVOE radio, and wrote a mental health column “Sharing” for local newspapers in the Mental Health Center area.
After leaving the center, Mr. Scott entered into private practice, Scott Counseling Services, and worked as director and a psychotherapist for Catholic Community Services until his retirement in 2006. The last several years before his death, Mr. Scott was a local Virtus Instructor for the Catholic Diocese, Kansas City. He was a community leader, educator, and friend.
National Depression Screening Day began in 1991 as the first nation-wide, community-based mental health screening program. NDSD has expanded in recent years to offer individualized and on-line screening for four of the most common and frequently co-occurring conditions: depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The screenings are informational, not diagnostic. The screenings are free and confidential. Mental health professionals will be available to review results of the screens.
The Emporia Public Library, 110 E. 6th Ave., will host the National Depression Screening Day event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 8 in the large conference room. Appointments are not necessary.
Lanis Houser, LSCSW
Emporia