VALPARAISO | Some form of depression affects more than 17 million Americans each year. In support of October being Mental Health Awareness Month, Porter-Starke Services encourages residents to receive a free, anonymous depression screenings at their satellite offices in Portage at 3349 Willowcreek Road, in Valparaiso at 601 Wall Street and in Knox at 1003 Edgewood Drive. National Depression Screening Day is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday.

Symptoms of Depression include persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or anxiety, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes in sleep patterns or in appetite, decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, restlessness or irritability, pervasive feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide. Manic depression also includes periods of feeling of euphoria and/or agitation. While fewer than half of those suffering from depression seek treatment, more than 80% of people with depression can be treated successfully with medication and/or psychotherapy.

Attendees at the free screenings will have the opportunity to obtain literature on depression and manic-depression, complete a written screening test, talk one-on-one with a mental health counselor, and learn about treatment options for depression. For more information or to learn about the wide variety of mental health and wellness services offered by Porter-Starke Services, Inc., call the Valparaiso office at (219) 531-3500, Portage (219) 762-9557 or the Knox office at (574) 772-4040 or visit www.porterstarke.org.

--For The Times