October 10 is National Depression Screening Day and World Mental Health Day. These awareness days provide opportunities to learn about and discuss mental health, including the widespread impact of clinical depression, a medical illness affecting an estimated 1 in 5 American adults during their lifetime. It is also a reminder of the importance of mental and emotional health for overall wellness. Education, resources, and conversations about mental health can help decrease negative stigmas and create more supportive environments for mental health and well-being.
The mental health awareness days are a chance for everyone to reflect on their mental health and learn about available resources. “Stress, sadness, mood swings, and anxiety can be part of the normal ups and downs of life,” says Kelcey Stratton, Chief Behavioral Health Strategist. “When these feelings become pervasive and prolonged or begin to affect your work or personal life, an online screening can be a good first step in finding support.”
Online Screenings and Resources
Confidential online mental health screenings are available at any time for all members of the university community. The questions in the screening only take about 10 minutes to complete and relate to depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. Screenings are a good way for a person to check in with their mood and thoughts and receive immediate results and suggestions for additional support if needed.
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For faculty and staff, there are confidential, anonymous online mental health screenings at screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/UMICHIGAN.
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For students, Counseling and Psychological Services provides confidential, anonymous online mental health screenings on the CAPS website at screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/goblue.
The Eisenberg Family Depression Center’s online toolkit provides information, tools, support and resources to guide individuals through their mental health journey. It offers help to family members and caregivers of those who experience mood disorders, and all people who wish to better understand depression and bipolar disorder.
Counseling Services
Confidential short-term counseling is available to university faculty, staff and students at no charge.
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Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campus employees, contact FASCCO at 734-936-8660, email [email protected] or visit fascco.umich.edu.
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Michigan Medicine employees, contact the Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience at 734-763-5409, email [email protected] or visit counseling.med.umich.edu.
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Students, contact CAPS at 734-764-8312 or visit the CAPS website at caps.umich.edu.
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For longer-term care and for the general public, The Mary A. Rackham Institute (MARI) Psychological Clinic and University Center for the Child and Family provide long-term and short-term individual therapy, group therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, and more. It is a fee-for-service clinic that accepts some insurance plans. University affiliation is not required. For more information visit the MARI website.
Health Plans for Mental Health Care
All U-M health plans cover mental and behavioral health services like counseling, therapy and substance abuse treatment. If you need help finding a provider, your doctor and your health plan can be great resources to help you get started.
