News Brief: Promotion keeps anxiety screening on target
May 1 is National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day. Health care sites interested in doing the screening will find that Freedom From Fear, the Staten Island, NY-based organization sponsoring the event, will provide all the tools necessary to screen the public — whether screening takes place on the designated observance or another date. That includes educational brochures, promotional flyers, screening forms, a video about the various anxiety disorders and their symptoms, bookmarks, and instructional information for running a screening.
"We do a lot of publicity and promotion to remove the stigma around mental illness, specifically anxiety and depressive disorders, by educating the public," says Jeanine Christiana, associate director of Freedom From Fear.
Education prior to the screening also helps to draw members of society that may possibly suffer from these disorders to the screening. It’s a good idea to publicize the symptoms before hand, says Christiana. These symptoms include:
- Depression: Not able to concentrate or eat.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Repetitive obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior such as washing.
- Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of doing things in front of others because of being scrutinized or humiliated.
- Panic Disorder: Panic attacks that come out of the blue and cause shortness of breath, sweating, and rapid heart rate.
- Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome: Those who have experienced a traumatic event and are having flashbacks, problems sleeping, and the tendency to relive the event over and over.
The organization advises health care facilities to use licensed mental health professionals at the screenings to evaluate the forms. These could include social workers, psychiatric registered nurses, psychiatrists, and psychologists. "It takes about 10-15 minutes to review the form with the individual and, if they screen positive, to provide them with referrals," says Christiana. Screenings are free and also can be anonymous.
For more information contact Jeanine Christiana, National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day, Nation-al Mental Illness Screening Project, Freedom From Fear, 308 Seaview Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305. Telephone: (718) 351-1717. Web site: www.freedomfromfear.org.
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