If you are depressed or unsure how you are feeling speak to your health care provider. There are better days ahead with treatment.

If you wonder if you may be depressed, being screened is a great first step to getting help and feeling better.

Depression is more than just feeling sad or going through a rough patch. Also called “depressive disorder,” depression a serious mental health condition that requires understanding and medical care. Left untreated, it can devastate people and their families.

Fortunately, with early detection and diagnosis, without stigma, many people can and do get better.

We want to encourage anyone who might be worried about their mental health to get screened. You can start by asking yourself if you have any of the common symptoms of depression, including changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, fatigue, irritability, hopelessness or guilty thoughts, physical aches and pains, or suicidal thoughts.

For people seeking professional depression screening or support:

• Those in crisis or who just need to talk should call or text 988, or start an online chat, to reach trained counselors at the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
• Ask your health care provider about getting screened for depression. You can also ask your county mental health office about free or low-cost depression screenings.
• Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid) members can get free depression screenings. Ask your primary care provider or find mental health providers near you by contacting your coordinated care organization (CCO). If you do not have or do not know your CCO, call OHP client services at 800-273-0557.
• NAMI Oregon, the Oregon chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), has local offices throughout the state and provides free peer support and resources for you and your family, including support groups, classes and workshops. Call 503-230-8009 or email namioregon@namior.org.

In the U.S, major depression affects about 8% of adults and 20% of youth (ages 12-17). Postpartum depression (PPD) is a different condition and affects about 9% of people in the U.S. who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Partners can also experience PPD.

Remember, if you’re feeling depressed, you are not alone, and help is out there. Talking about depression, without shame or stigma, is key to the healing process. Concerned friends or loved ones can also start the conversation.