Depression can leave people feeling overwhelmed, hopeless or disconnected. While difficult feelings can come and go, ongoing symptoms should not be ignored. A depression screening is often the first step toward understanding what you’re experiencing and identifying the right support.

At Citizen Advocates, we provide compassionate, evidence-based depression screening and treatment services to help individuals move toward stability and recovery.

What Is a Depression Screening?

A depression screening is a structured assessment used to evaluate symptoms of depression, overall emotional well-being and safety. It helps our care team better understand what you are experiencing and determine the most appropriate next steps.

During a depression screening, our trained therapists:

• Assess symptoms such as persistent sadness, loss of interest, sleep changes, fatigue and difficulty concentrating
• Identify risk factors, including recent job loss, grief, increased substance use or thoughts of self-harm
• Evaluate warning signs such as researching or planning suicide
• Review protective factors that may reduce the risk of self-harm, such as strong family connections, community support or the absence of firearms in the home

Our goal is to ensure your safety while creating a clear path forward.

Safety Planning and Support

If needed, our care team works with you—and with your permission, your support network—to develop a personalized safety plan. A safety plan may include:

• Identifying trusted emergency contacts
• Listing coping strategies for times of distress
• Increasing access to supportive resources
• Creating clear steps to follow during a crisis

This plan is designed to help you feel prepared and supported during difficult moments.

Depression Treatment Options

Following your depression screening, we will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan. Treatment may include:

• Weekly sessions with a therapist
• Group therapy
• At-home visits and wellness checks (when appropriate)
• Engaging supportive family members, friends, clergy or teachers
• Referral to a psychiatrist for medication management

Depression treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Our care team tailors services to your needs, strengths and goals.

When to Seek a Depression Screening

You may benefit from a depression screening if you or someone you care about is experiencing:

• Ongoing sadness or hopelessness
• Loss of interest in activities
• Changes in appetite or sleep
• Increased irritability
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Early screening can lead to earlier support and better outcomes.

If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a crisis, call 911 or one of our 24/7 Crisis Hotlines for immediate assistance.

Help is available. Contact your local Citizen Advocates clinic to schedule a depression screening and talk with our care team about next steps.

Related services

Mental Health Medication Management

Just as medication is used for physical health, medication for mental health treatment may be part of a person-centered treatment plan. Medications as part of a treatment plan can help manage symptoms, and help individuals engage and focus on those things that matter most.

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Individual, group, and family psychotherapy

Our board certified psychiatrist and counseling staff work collaboratively on developing treatment plans and, when appropriate, medications to help. We offer individual, group, marriage and family counseling services.

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