By Adrian Zupp
Have you ever seen those blood pressure machines by the pharmacy in supermarkets? A great idea, right? Free, quick, easy… and they give you a read on a crucial element of your overall health and wellbeing. Well, why not take that do-it-yourself concept into the area of mental health?
In the Information Age you can do just that – and have complete privacy as well. Just log onto the Internet and you’re in business! Click here for screenings for depression, alcohol, bipolar disorder, general anxiety disorder (GAD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a brief screening for adolescent depression.
These screenings are quick and simple to take, they’re completely anonymous, and free of charge. Nobody ever has to know that you, or a member of your family, took one. In fact, you could call this a very family-friendly mental health check-up.
It should be noted, while screenings will definitely give you a sense or whether or not you have symptoms that are consistent with one of the above mentioned conditions, and whether seeking further evaluation or treatment might be a good idea, they are not a diagnosis.
In addition to the question-and-answer basic screenings, the depression, alcohol, PTSD, and GAD screenings are also followed by clips from the “Video Doctor” series. These short, interactive videos add another dimension to the online screenings and add a personal, friendly touch.
Taking an online mental health screening might be one of the most important things you can do for your family – or one of the most important things a family member can do for themselves. So give it a try. After all, you don’t even have to go to the supermarket.
Adrian Zupp is the marketing and communications writer for Screening for Mental Health.
