– For most adults, life is full of ups and downs – good times, stressful times, anxious times and even sorrowful times. While experiencing different moods is common, feeling anxious, tense, stressed, depressed or “blue” for more than a few weeks may be the sign of a more serious condition.
Depression and anxiety are the most common forms of mental illness affecting millions of American adults each year. Most people with clinical depression or anxiety disorders do not seek the professional medical help they need. Oftentimes adults don’t realize the symptoms of these conditions, or are too embarrassed to talk about their situation.
To help those who think they may be experiencing depression or anxiety, the Saint Barnabas Behavioral Health Center will offer free behavioral health screenings open to the public four times over the next several weeks. The screenings will be held:
- Wednesday, March 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Center for Healthy Living at Kimball Medical Center, Prospect Street in Lakewood.
- Thursday, March 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Saint Barnabas Behavioral Health Center, 1691 Route 9 in Toms River.
- Monday, March 31 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Center for Healthy Living.
- Tuesday, April 1 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Saint Barnabas Behavioral Health Center.
Clinical depression and anxiety affect a person’s family and work, and are two of the leading causes of disability in this country. Statistics show that women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience depression. Fortunately, they are both highly treatable conditions. The key is to seek professional help before the conditions worsen.
Signs of depression include prolonged sadness, thoughts of suicide, loss of appetite or weight, fatigue, lack of sleep or excess sleepiness, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, loss of interest in daily activities such as family, work and hobbies.
Some signs of anxiety include a constant state of worry, inability to relax, startle easily, fatigue, headaches, tension, insomnia and trouble concentrating.
Those who think they may be experiencing any of these conditions and their loved ones are encouraged to attend one of these sessions to learn more about the signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders. Each participant will receive a free screening with a behavioral health clinician and if appropriate, referred to available treatment options.
The screenings are completely confidential, but pre-registration is required by calling the Saint Barnabas Behavioral Health Access Center at 1-800-300-0628.
Saint Barnabas Behavioral Health Center is a freestanding 100-bed acute care psychiatric facility which provides inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs for adults and older adults diagnosed with psychiatric and dual disorders. The multidisciplinary staff includes experienced professionals in nearly every facet of behavioral health care who provide truly customized and highly specialized treatment tracks, as well as programs for the dually diagnosed. For more information, call (732) 914-1688.
CONTACT: Kristine A. Brown
Director of Public Relations
(732) 557-3902
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