Oct 05, 2016
NYC Health + Hospitals will mark National Depression Screening Day on Thursday, October 6, by offering free depression screenings and treatment referrals at 14 patient care locations across New York City. Confidential screenings are conducted by mental health professionals in individual, private consultations, and are designed to identify symptoms of depression and mood disorders. Patients requiring assistance will be referred to the appropriate levels of treatment within each location.
“NYC Health + Hospitals understands the critical need for access to mental health care in New York City, and continues to lead and expand efforts to much-needed services at all stages of life,” said Dr. Machelle Allen, Acting Chief Medical Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals. “The health system has integrated universal depression screenings for adults in primary care, has successfully led efforts in the city to screen all pregnant women and new mothers for maternal depression, and has focused efforts to promote health care services to young people at YouthHealth neighborhood centers.”
NYC Health + Hospitals is a major provider of behavioral and mental health services in New York City with a team of expert and compassionate health care providers who focus on prevention, provide mental health care with the same urgency as any other health condition, and work toward recovery and a better quality of life for all patients. The health system has integrated universal depression screening for adults in primary care to reach even more New Yorkers who may be suffering from mental illness. Specialized services, including depression help, for youth ages 12-21 are also available at YouthHealth neighborhood centers in all five boroughs.
Depression is a common yet serious medical condition, characterized by pervasive low mood; loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities; and significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. Other symptoms can include difficulty concentrating, loss of energy, trouble sleeping, changes in weight, feelings of worthlessness and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. Early detection and treatment can reduce suffering and improve quality of life.
Depression screenings will take place on Thursday, October 6, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following locations:
Contact: Press Office, (212) 788-3339
The NYC Health + Hospitals health care system is a $6.7 billion integrated healthcare delivery system, the largest municipal healthcare organization in the country, and one of the New York area’s largest providers of government-sponsored health insurance, MetroPlus Health Plan, the plan of choice for nearly half a million New Yorkers. The NYC Health + Hospitals health care system serves 1.4 million New Yorkers every year and more than 475,000 are uninsured. The system provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, five skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 70 community based clinics. NYC Health + Hospitals/Home Care also provides in-home services for New Yorkers. The NYC Health + Hospitals system was the 2008 recipient of the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commission’s John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org or find us on https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem or twitter.com/NYCHealthSystem.