The BYU Counseling and Psychological Center will be screening students on Oct. 11, as a part of a nation-wide effort to help students recognize resources available in helping battle depression and anxiety disorders.
National Depression Screening Day is an event that happens all throughout the country at many colleges and universities for the purpose of helping students become more aware of the symptoms of depression, anxiety or other disorders.
Jonathan Cox, a psychologist and assistant clinical professor at the Psychological and Counseling Center, said this is their chance to reach out to struggling individuals and help them.
'We have a lot of resources for people who are struggling with their emotions and different problems,' Cox said. 'National Depression Screening Day is a good opportunity for us to reach out and remind people that we are here and that we're here to help.'
Cox said it would benefit any student who needs someone to talk to about struggles they are experiencing, to visit a screening location or the Counseling and Psychological Center, 1500 Wilkinson Student Center.
Screenings will take place in two locations: 2590 Wilkinson Center in the Counseling and Career Center and the Cannon Center.
'Students can come by anytime from 9 (a.m.) to 5 (p.m.) and fill out a quick questionnaire that will take maybe five to 10 minutes,' Cox said. 'Then they meet with a counselor who does a quick and easy interview with them to see the nature of their problems or to see if they are having any symptoms, and then the counselor reviews with them the findings and any resources that are there for them.'
Natalie Garcia, a junior studying neuroscience, said National Depression Screening Day could be helpful to students.
'I think there are a lot of people that are maybe not super depressed but have some anxiety about things, especially during school because it gets pretty stressful,' Garcia said. She thinks it is a good idea to help people become aware of the symptoms of depression and what can be done to help them.
Fellow student Amandine Girand-Carrier, a senior studying elementary education, also said it would be beneficial for students to know what resources are available for them.
'I think it's a good idea because not everyone is clinically depressed but everyone has different levels of depression,' she said. 'It would be nice to know what kind of help people can get even if it's not extreme depression.'
For more information on National Depression Screening Day, visit: www.mentalhealthscreening.org or www.mentalhealthscreening.org/info-and-facts/depression.aspx