National Depression Screening Day 2024 is on Wednesday, October 9, 2024: I want to be an activist in help spreading awareness on anxiety disorders?

Wednesday, October 9, 2024 is National Depression Screening Day 2024.

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May 1-7th is Anxiety Awareness Week. May is Mental Health Awareness Month in which the free Naitonal Anxieties disorders Screening Day is held.

The first week of every October is Mental Health Awareness Week in which the National Depression Screening Day is held.

Anxiety disorder & Panic Attack Treatment at Anxietyawareness.com

Awareness Ribbon pins: Pins for agoraphobia, anxity disorder, dissociative identity disorder, etc..

You can participate in the above events and gain ideas from their websites.

Post Natal Depression?

It's a bit hard to say regarding postnatal depression (PND) however the fact that you are asking for help and are concerned by definition means that you arent an awful mother.

PND is a complex issue in terms of diagnosis and labels as to be diagnostically correct the onset must be within 4 weeks of birth. It's not an independent condition and is acutally a subset (or qualifier) of a major depressive episode. So in terms of onset it may apply depends if you feel thats when this started or if that developed later. To get a better understanding of if you are experiencing a depressive mood disorder (of any stripe) have a think about the symptoms and key characteristics (Sleep issues, lack of Interest in previously enjoyed activities, Guilt/low self-esteem, Poor Energy (or periods of mania), Concentration impairment, loss of Appetite, Psychomotor issues (cant seem to get moving, cant stop moving once you start) and Suicidal Ideation). But the most important charecteristic is "Are you distressed?" if you are, then you might need some help, if you are not distressed you do not have a disorder, even if you have the symptoms. Have a look at Beyond Blue a Australian health website (). The Edinborough Postnatal Depression Screen (link on the page mentioned above) is a tool specificaly designed to screen new mothers for depression and has a large amount of research indicating that it is effective.

Treatment for PND tends to follow standard guidelines as treating a non specified type of depression. There are a variety of methods that can be used including various forms of psychotherapy and medication. If you are wanting to try something yourself (in terms of therapy) try online cogntive behaviour therapy, there is a few around by MoodGYM looks pretty good, its produced by the Australian National University (). Overall though contacting a therapist is what I would recommend.

Some other basics that you can begin to improve your 'head space' are self-care activities. As a new parent myself I understand that self-care is usually the first thing to go but it is important. Try very hard to get solid sleep (stop laughing now...) Can your partner take over on a Saturday night for example? Maintain good sleep hygiene i.e. no TV in bedroom, no heavy excercise after dinner, no coffee after 6pm, get plenty of sunlight during the day, cut out any catnaps (unless you need them because child keeping you awake), things of that nature. Maintain a good diet, people forget just how important this is but in a lot of ways the body (and therefore mind) are like a car, if you put cheap petrol in it, your engine is going to backfire.

Couple of helpful tips:

1. Excercise - Did you know that these 'Endorphins' everyone talks about are actually naturally occuring opiods? No wonder that it feels good.

2. Smiling - Did you know that when you smile it actually releases the same chemicals regardless of if your faking it or not? The difference is just in the quantity released.

3. Avoid the use of substances. People with depression can be very tempted to self-medicate their low feelings with alcohol or other drugs. This is how a lot of people get caught in the substance dependence trap.

4. Social inclusion is more important than people realise. Like it or lump it, we humans are social creatures and a positive social encounter on a regular basis goes a long way towards good mental health.

5. Relationships can be a great support and it sounds like your partner is great, remember to take the time to go out to dinner... sans kids, get a sitter for a couple hours.

Most counsellors and all therapists should be able to give you good information on stress management but that will probably go along way to helping you feel better as well. Some general tips: when you get home, vent to your partner for the duration of 1 cup of coffee then put your work down and leave it down till 9 am tomorrow. Deep breathing can be of enourmous benefit and can be done on the sly very easily, did you know that it is impossible to panic whilst you are doing deep breathing? Panic requires hyperventilation.

There is so much more to cover but a lot of that you should do face-to-face with a professional such as your health visitor (I'm guessing that is like our midwives who do follow up care for new mums). But most importantly remember that even if you have PND, you are not a bad mother. You wouldnt think that you were a dreadful mother if you had a broken arm would you? Depression is a complex issue that is highly individual in its expression, do what you are doing and ask for help/guidance.

Hope that helps a bit.

Regards,

Daniel

I'm really scared and need help? Please?

You were right to go for help. BRAVO!

All parents have to deal with the unexpected. Kids, too. Parents are a lot tougher than they appear sometimes. And reslient. They can become your partners as you learn about what's going on in you. Since they have already been open to you about your mother's depression, it's very likely they'll be more prepared to deal with a child with problems than you might think.

I think having the SAP program call your parents is a good compromise. They have experience with breaking this kind of news and will have a lot of resources for you and your parents.

There are no blood tests to establish bipolar or depression. There are questions to ask and observations to be made. It doesn't hurt other than your thoughts or answers might make you cry. And that's ok, the person evaluating you has seen it all!

National Depression Screening Day® is Friday, October 10th, 2008. Their organization has an online test that will help you understand a little about what kinds of questions you will be asked.

Look at the test here:

Just be honest with the people you're talking to and they can help you the best. If you do have suicidal thoughts again, call a crisis line for help immediately, ok?

You're not the first kid to have these problems and, unfortunately, you won't be the last. Even if no one else ever knows, the courage you have shown in facing this will be a great example to others of all ages.