National Depression Screening Day is Oct. 5 to raise awareness about the widespread impact of clinical depression and the importance of mental and emotional health, including resources available through the university.
Depression affects an estimated 1 in 5 American adults during their lifetime, and mental and emotional health is important for overall wellness.
“Stress, sadness, mood swings and anxiety can be part of the normal ups and downs of life,” said Kelcey Stratton, chief behavioral health strategist and assistant professor of psychiatry in the Medical School. “When these feelings become pervasive and prolonged or begin to affect your work or personal life, an online screening can be a good first step in finding support.”
Confidential online mental health screenings are available at any time for all members of the university community. The questions in the screening take about 10 minutes to complete and relate to depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns.
Screenings are a good way for a person to check in with their mood and thoughts and receive immediate results and suggestions for additional support if needed.
For faculty and staff, there are confidential, anonymous online mental health screenings through MHealthy. For students, Counseling and Psychological Services provides confidential, anonymous online mental health screenings on the CAPS website.
The Depression Center’s online toolkit provides information, tools, support and resources to guide individuals through their mental health journey. It also offers help to family members and caregivers of those who suffer from mood disorders, and all people who wish to better understand depression and bipolar disorder.
Confidential short-term counseling is available to university faculty, staff and students at no charge. Options include:
- Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campus employees should contact the Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office at 734-936-8660 or fascco@umich.edu.
- Michigan Medicine employees should contact the Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience at 734-763-5409 or counseling@med.umich.edu.
- Students should contact CAPS at 734-764-8312 or visit the CAPS website.
- For longer-term care and for the general public, the Mary A. Rackham Institute Psychological Clinic and University Center for the Child and Family provide long-term and short-term individual therapy, group therapy, couples counseling, family therapy and more. It is a fee-for-service clinic that accepts some insurance plans. University affiliation is not required. For more information visit the MARI website.
All U-M health plans cover mental and behavioral health services like counseling, therapy and substance abuse treatment. For help finding a provider, a person’s doctor and health plan can help them get started.
