Counseling and Psychological Services of the University Health Center and the Employee Assistance Program will offer education and screenings for a range of common emotional conditions Oct. 8 in conjunction with National Depression Screening Day.

The free, confidential screenings are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Nebraska Union and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the East Union. The screenings are available for UNL students, faculty and staff. All UNL students who complete the screening will be entered into a raffle for an iPod Touch.

Depression is more than just a bad day, the result of a bad grade or a little anxiety about the future. It is a treatable disorder that can leave a person feeling so bad that they forget how it feels to feel good.

At the screening, individuals can fill out a self-test and talk with a counselor. Even those who don’t have a mood or anxiety disorder and are just going through a couple of bad days are invited to take advantage of the program and learn about what services are available on campus. Counselors will also be available to speak about the Signs of Suicide program which can help recognize the signs of suicide and what to do if you suspect someone is in danger of taking their life.

“National Depression Screening Day is an opportunity for us to educate the UNL community about depression as well as its relation to suicide,” said Robert Portnoy, director of Counseling and Psychological Services. “Our goal is to educate people about depression, suicide and how to intervene when they suspect a loved one may be at risk.”

For those who are unable to make it to the free screenings, online screenings are available for UNL students in the areas of depression, manic depression, anxiety, eating disorders and alcohol use. Individuals can access the online screenings at http://health.unl.edu/caps.

Once the assessment is complete, individuals can schedule an appointment with one of the University Health Center professionals for further evaluation and, if indicated, to develop a treatment.

For more information, call 472-7450.

Depression signals

Symptoms of clinical depression include:

• Persistent, sad, anxious or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, helplessness and worthlessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, ranging from schoolwork to sex
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Changes in appetite
• Decreased energy, fatigue and feeling “slowed down”
• Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
• Increased restlessness and irritability
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
• Physical symptoms that do not respond to medical treatment