A conversation about Depression Screening events

So, Sue, you’re excited about depression screening. What is this all about?

This is an opportunity; I would say a gentle opportunity, for people to get a snapshot of how they’re feeling. It works for a whole range of people. We find that often people come to a depression screening because they’ve already identified something’s wrong but they’re nervous about seeking help. Others are just curious about the process. Because we’ve been doing this type of screening publicly for now more then 10 years, we find that sometimes people come back to get some reassurance that they’re getting better, some validation. It’s a really unique opportunity to talk to someone else in a safe environment without having to invest a lot of time or personal emotional risk or money.

So what happens at a depression screening?

Individuals are invited to fill out a short questionnaire. It’s a tool that’s been specifically designed for public screening events. It started off with just depression, now we have it for anxiety, risky drinking and specific populations such as older adults or youth. The depression tools have been translated and used locally in Chinese, and we also have materials in Punjabi and Farsi.

Once someone fills out the questionnaire, what happens?

Their form is scored by a volunteer, and then they meet one on one with clinician (also a volunteer) who will help them interpret their results. The idea is to help people identify whether they need to seek treatment or whether they need more information or reassurance that what they are experiencing is within the normal range, part of the human condition, rather than a crisis. Over the years, we’ve had very few incidences where people were actually in an emergent situation. This is heartening – we find that people are seeking out information before things are getting to the point where they can’t cope. It’s also a way for concerned others to have their observations of their loved one evaluated.

So the same tool is used for a person with a potential challenge and for someone who is concerned about someone?

No. There is an adapted version for the concerned other. It’s their impression, what they observe very different from someone answering from a personal perspective. We take the concerned others just as seriously, because it indicates there is a struggle that is affecting more than just the individual with the potential mental health problem. That is one of the big things that is so devastating about mental health problems – it’s not just the individual but the people they’re connected with that feel the impact.

Do you have a success story?

Jay (not his real name) was new to Canada and had come out to a number of public talks. Some time later he came to a more specific talk about mental health, something where there was more personal engagement. By the time the next screening rolled around, he felt safe enough and connected enough to do a screening, which was carried out in his own language. His results weren’t anything drastic but he did indicate it was the catalyst to seek help from a Western practitioner. The screening gave him confidence to have that checked out as a health concern, not a shortcoming or something to be ashamed of. He is still connected to us, and still comes to our talks.

"Blue Monday" - a depresssion and anxiety screening event
Monday Nov 1 2010 from 5-8 pm at CMHA Vancouver Burnaby office at 175 West Broadway, Vancouver. Please call 604-872-4902 for more information . Space is limited so booking a specific time is recommended.