Understanding Depression

Week of October 15, 2007

October is National Depression Education and Awareness Month. As the season changes and the days get shorter, some people develop symptoms of depression when days with less sunlight can lower brain serotonin levels affecting mood and behavior. Depression can come in different forms exhibiting many different symptoms. A confidential screening test for depression is available at the DoD's Mental Health Self-Assessment Program. Non-active duty TRICARE beneficiaries can find out more about getting help by visiting the Mental Health and Behavior section under the "My Benefit" portal at www.tricare.mil. The CDC's Understanding Depression --Yours and Theirs webpage. More information on depression is also available on the Army Medicine website.