We know that this year more than 19 million American adults (9.5% of the population) will suffer from depression.  In April 2002, President Bush issued an executive order creating the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health to study the problem of mental health impairments in the United States. 

According to the report, “mental illness is shockingly common, affecting almost every American family — directly or indirectly.  It can strike a child, a brother, a grandparent or a co-worker.  It can strike someone of any background — white, African-American, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Hispanic American or Native American.  It can strike at any stage of life, from childhood to old age.  No community is unaffected, no school or workplace untouched.”

The Commission simply stated what those in the behavioral health care community have known for years that behavioral health issues, particularly depression, impact more than just the individual but also the family, co-workers, and the employer who feels the loss through absenteeism, lower productivity, and morale issues.

Understanding that reality, we have created our programs to help you and your family in an effort to assist you by not only providing access to therapists or medical doctors but also to offer educational information, tips, and self help tools that are solution focused and empowering.

• Dysthymia

• Seasonal Affective Disorder

• Postpartum Depression

• Bipolar Disorder

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Some people have said that depression is like a dark cloud that decends over them.  They cannot concentrate; they have no energy and often feel irritated for no apparent reason.

Most who experience one episode of depression will eventually experience it again.  You may recognize these symptoms of depression for several weeks before a full blown depression episode occurs.  Learning to recognize these symptoms and working with a professional during these times can often prevent the episode from worsening.

If you are experiencing some or all of the following symptoms, we can help!

• constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or tension
• decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies
• loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity
• a change in appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain
• a change in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
• restlessness or feeling slowed down
  decreased ability to make decisions or concentrate
• feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
• thoughts of suicide or death

If you are and would like to learn more or take a depression assessment, tools are available for you.