Buzz
This year has been undeniably tough, and you're not the only one noticing a shift in your mood due to the pandemic. But are you simply experiencing the usual quarantine fatigue, or could it be a sign of depression that might benefit from professional help? Taking a depression screening might provide some clarity.
Each year, the Calgary Counseling Centre observes National Depression Screening Day (this year on October 8) by offering a free online screening. Depending on your responses, you’ll receive a recommendation of either 'not recommended for further evaluation,' 'recommended for further evaluation,' or 'strongly recommended for further evaluation.' While it can’t diagnose clinical depression, it can suggest whether seeking help would be beneficial for you.
The results of the questionnaire are both anonymous and confidential, meaning no one will contact you after completing it. You’ll receive the results for your personal use, and you can answer a few additional questions to assist researchers in understanding their audience and the relationship between scores and other factors in your life. For instance, last year’s survey revealed that individuals who followed Canada's recommended exercise guidelines tended to have better results, while those who slept between seven and eight hours each night also had the lowest scores. Both exercise and adequate sleep are known to enhance mental health, though mental health challenges can make it harder to maintain healthy routines.
This year’s screening includes a question asking whether your symptoms of depression worsened during the lockdown compared to before. While your response won’t affect your score—depression is depression, no matter when it strikes—it may help researchers better understand the impact of lockdown on our mental health. You can find the screening at test4depression.com, and no matter what your score is, you’ll receive a self-care toolkit with suggestions on how to support your mental health at the end.
