Monthly Health Topic

Depression: Get the Facts

Care Choices HMO along with the Michigan Behavioral Health Interplan Workgroup supports NATIONAL DEPRESSION SCREENING DAY (NDSD), Thursday October 11, 2007. We want to highlight the fact that more that 19 million Americans (950,000 in Michigan) suffer from some form of depression.  The fact is: depression is a treatable medical illness as are diabetes and high blood pressure. We are working, through education and awareness, to dispel the myths that often surround depression. The first step is to get screened, which is the primary goal of NDSD.  

You can take a FREE-confidential, anonymous depression screening online or call 1-877-769-5501 for telephone screening.  Care Choice members are urged to talk with their provider about screening results or any concerns they may have, however, members may call the Mental Health number on their Care Choices Card to speak directly to a mental health specialist, 24/7 to obtain care, without a referral.

We encourage our members to take the following steps: get screened, obtain treatment if needed and get better.