Depression or just feeling blue?

Friday is Depression Screening Day, so we’ll take a look at the issue and how to get help if you need it.

In York and Adams Counties, 3 in 5 adults report having one or more days with depressive symptoms during the past two weeks. And if you’re not one of those 3 in 5, then odds are someone you love is likely to experience it.

The Healthy York County Coalition and Health Adams County have joined to create feeling-blue.com, to raise awareness and provide some tools

So how do you know if you’re depressed or just feeling blue?

We all have times were we feel sad, but if that’s happening for a long time or every day tasks are hard to complete, then it may be depression.

Here are some signs:

• Sad and hopeless
• Lost interest in activities
• Problems sleeping
• Tired
• Nervous or restless
• Guilty or useless
• Problems with memory
• Headaches or stomachaches
• Appetite change

Please talk about your doctor if you think you might be depressed. If you’re feeling suicidal, don’t wait. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline right away at 1-800-273-8255.

Resources:

Visit these sites for some ways to help.

• Feeling Blue
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• National Institute of Mental Health - York 
• Here at Family First Health, we work with TrueNorth Wellness Services. Visit our website for more information.