University Times

Clinicians with UPMC’s depression prevention program will host an informational event and conduct free confidential depression screenings for National Depression Screening Day, Oct. 7.

The program will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Carnegie Library in Oakland and is open to the public.

This program will benefit those who have depression as well as family and friends of individuals who may have depression and do not know it.

Depression is characterized by symptoms such as sleeplessness, irritability, feelings of hopelessness and lack of concentration. The illness affects nearly 10 percent of the population of the United States, approximately 18.8 million individuals – more people than heart disease, diabetes or cancer.

“Knowing what depression is and recognizing its symptoms are crucial for its prevention,” said Ellen Frank, professor of psychiatry and psychology at the Pitt School of Medicine. “There are a wide range of effective treatments available, but those treatments won’t help anybody who does not recognize they have depression.”

The Oct. 7 presentation will feature Frank, who is the director of the Depression and Manic Depression Prevention Program at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic; Andrea Fagiolini, assistant professor of psychiatry at Pitt’s medical school, and Carole Taylor, chief clinical officer for Community Care Behavioral Health.

For more information about the program, call 412/246-5566.