Local Health Center Beats the Blues
MUSKEGON HEIGHTS – Muskegon Family Care, a local community health center, offered depression screenings for the public at its two medical clinic sites. Screening was done as a part of National Depression Screening Day, which helps people identify whether they may be suffering from depression. Nationally, one in five Americans will experience depression at some point in their lives, with far-reaching impact on families and friends.
“There are many people, especially those dealing with chronic illnesses like diabetes or chronic pain, who are struggling with depression in our area,” says Muskegon Family Care Clinic Counselor Stephanie Vannett. She points out that Muskegon Family Care offers a comprehensive treatment and follow-up program that has proven to be effective for treating depression. “A lot of people don’t realize that depression is identified and treated most commonly in primary care offices,” says Vannett.
For the past 5 years, Muskegon Family Care has been part of a national quality improvement effort focusing on depression. “We’re really striving to provide the care needed for improvement,” notes Vannett.
Outcomes:
6 screenings completed
3 referrals to primary care physicians to discuss depression
1 new patient appointment made at Muskegon Family Care |
