A depression and anxiety education and screening day will be available at College of New Caledonia (CNC) on Tuesday.
Titled Beyond the Blues, the free and confidential service takes place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at an info booth adjacent to CNC's counselling and advising department. It's for anyone on campus who wishes to learn more about mood disorders.
"School is stressful. We want to help our students become more successful in school," said CNC counsellor Tammy Skomorowski. "When stress is running high, you start to see symptoms of anxiety and depression. If you don't take care of yourself, it can turn into a mood disorder."
Volunteers will provide tips on recognizing symptoms, pamphlets on mental health, free giveaways and healthy snacks.
Participants can complete a brief self-report screening and meet with a clinician to discuss their results and any questions they may have.
If they need help, participants will be provided resources that are available at CNC and throughout Prince George.
The screening includes a confidential one-page screening on depression, and a one-page questionnaire on anxiety, and a one-page screening on alcohol use.
"It's all about information and education to dissolve any stigma around those disorders," said Skomorowski.
"Early intervention is important - maybe all that is needed is to get more sleep, vitamins, improve their diet or get more exercise. Maybe you won't need medication. If you don't stem the symptoms now, it may lead to further problems."
Beyond the Blues is happening across B.C. the first week of October. It coincides with national and international events within the first week of October that proclaimed Mental Illness Awareness week.
In Prince George, two partners are involved - CNC and the downtown office of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
It's the second consecutive year CNC has offered Beyond the Blues. In 2010, 21 people filled out questionnaires and 50 stopped by for information. The pamphlets are available in English, Cantonese and Punjabi.
"We had a really good response last year and I think our numbers will keep growing," said Skomorowski. "Depression and anxiety are common in students. If there are problems in work, their relationships, or their social life, there may be problems in school, and vice-versa."
