Counseling, Crisis Prevention and Support Groups

Counseling, Crisis Prevention and Support Groups

Depression is NOT

• Having a bad day
• Having a bad attitude
• Normal sadness
• Part of normal aging

• Major depression is indicated by pervasive depressed mood, sadness and loss of interest and pleasure.
• Depression is often complicated by other medical conditions such as chronic medical disorders, chronic pain, anxiety, cognitive impairment, grief/bereavement, and/or substance abuse.
• Depression can be treated! Talk to your primary care physician or a mental health specialist.
• Primary care is the de facto treatment location for most patients with common mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, with 70% of all antidepressant prescriptions in the United States written by a primary care provider.
• Only 30-50% of patients have a full response to the first treatment plan. That means 50-70% of patients need at least one change in treatment.
• Only 50% of patients who receive a referral for specialty mental health care ever follow through with the referral. Among those who do, many do not have more than one visit.

Source: University of Washington’s AIMS Center (Advancing Integrated Mental Health Solutions)