Press Releases
DATE: 21 Jan. 2010
RELEASE NO:10-01
Depression: What to look for; How Grace Hill can help
By Rajeev John, MSW, LCSW, ACSW
ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- It’s winter, and many people can begin to feel the “winter blues.” But it may not just be the winter blues that’s bothering you. Depression is a serious mental health issue that can even affect the family members of those who are suffering from it. The World Health Organization projects that depression will rank second in worldwide disease burden by 2020. Heart disease will remain first.
Depression is not just sadness. It includes both emotional and physical symptoms that are controlled by certain chemicals in the brain. Usually, emotional symptoms are used to detect depression. However, research shows that physical symptoms are very common in depression. They should not be ignored.
Screening for Depression
Depression screening is just as important as it is for other medical diseases, like heart disease and diabetes.
You can check if you or your loved ones have any of these symptoms:
-Often restless and irritable.
-Either sleep too much or not sleeping enough.
-Not enjoying hobbies or not having fun like normal.
-Difficulty in managing chronic illnesses.
-Complaining about aches and pains that do not
improve.
-Trouble concentrating or making decisions.
-Noticeable change in mood and attitude.
-Considerable change in weight.
-Suicidal thoughts.
You or a loved one may be depressed if several of the symptoms above occur for more than two weeks, and the functioning of everyday life activities is suffering due to these problems. The staff at Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Centers (GHNHC) may be able to help.
Speak with your health care provider or a Clinical Social Worker about these symptoms. You can bring them to their attention by saying something like, “I just don’t feel like myself lately,” or “My friend thinks I might be depressed,” or “I haven’t been sleeping well lately,” or ask, “Could I possibly have depression?” Having suicidal thoughts is a very serious symptom. This person needs help immediately, according to sources such as the University of Michigan Depression Center.
Your provider or a Clinical Social Worker from your Health Center will be able to give you or your loved one a detailed assessment and provide proper treatment.
You may call the main GHNHC number at 898-1700 and ask for a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. For a specific location, please call Nancy Phillips at 898-1724 (Hadley Health Center); Starlett Grey at 814-8642 (Murphy-O’Fallon Health Center); Aida Rodriguez at 898-1760 (Soulard-Benton Health Center); or Maria Rosario Bobadilla at 814-8722 (Grace Hill South Health Center.)
A part of St. Louis for more than 100 years, Grace Hill Health Centers, Inc. (GHHC) is a federally qualified health center and provides low-cost, primary and preventive health care at six locations to primarily low-income and uninsured residents in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County. GHHC is accredited through the Joint Commission.
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