Have you stopped feeling like yourself lately?
Or maybe you're worried about someone you care about? Maybe you feel sad, empty and hopeless but don't know why you can't shake off the feelings. Or you've been feeling anxious, panicked or distressed by troubling thoughts and behaviours.
You may have clinical depression or an anxiety disorder - real conditions that touch at least one in every five people. The good news is they are treatable. There is help and hope.
Many of us can experience a shift in mood as we enter into the fall. This October offers a unique opportunity to learn more about depression, anxiety and risky drinking at the 17th annual Beyond the Blues: Depression Anxiety Education & Screening Day. The province-wide event has had close to 52,000 participants since 1995.
The event will be offered locally on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 4871 Delta St., Ladner, the resource centre of the Canadian Mental health Association's Delta branch.
There are as many treatment and community support options for mood and anxiety disorders as there are faces of them. Beyond the Blues is an opportunity to learn more about these treatable conditions, complete a brief questionnaire, speak one-on-one with a clinician and find out about the range of community resources available to help.
All screenings are completely free and totally anonymous.
You do not have to sign your name anywhere and volunteers and clinicians involved in the event must sign an agreement respecting the confidentiality and anonymity of all participants.
The screening is an opportunity to learn more about mood and anxiety disorders, complete a brief questionnaire (optional) and speak one-on-one with a clinician.
