Yes, you read that right. NAMI, an advocacy for mental health partnered with Google to help those searching for more information about “depression” or “clinical depression”.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) wanted to not only inform others that they were not alone, but also guide them into the right direction to seeking help. Statistically, 1 in 5 people suffer depression once in their life time. And it typically takes a person six to eight years to seek treatment for their depression. And this test could be the first step in achieving just that.
NAMI believes that awareness of depression can help empower, educate and enable quicker access to treatment. That’s why we partnered with Google to ensure that their new “Check if You’re Clinically Depressed” feature is accurate and useful.
– NAMI, website.
–> You can read their own blog post here!<–
The goal here was to create a a legitimate clinical screening, which you can take via any smart phone. (Not available via web-top, as seen below)
The screening-tool is called PHQ-9 or Patient Health Questionnaire, is a clinically validated 9 question screen tool. PHQ-9 is a self-administered version of the PRIME-MD, diagnostic tool used for mental health evaluations. Which is very fascinating, considering how far we’ve come in screening and testings for our mental health. If you’ve ever been to a doctors office, or a health care facility and done the depression screening there, this is that test. One difference between the two is that PHQ-9 is now available to the public to help encourage persons to seek treatment! You can read more of the background and development here.
To get started, all you have to is Google “Depression” in your smart phones browser.
As you can see highlighted, there is an option to “Check if you’re clinically depressed”.
Before starting the test, Google insures that your privacy is of the most importance and that none of these answers are stored. The process takes 5 minutes or less to complete, with the answers ranging from “least, to most” in a sense. (As seen in the photo below.)
It look me less then a minute to complete my questionnaire. Although I knew what my results would be, I wanted to take it anyways. The score is set between 0-27. Each section has it’s own tips on how to seek treatment, and it’s also measured on severity of your depression.
My best friend had taken the test when it was announced on August 24, 2017. Even though I had read the news on Twitter that morning, he went above and beyond to share this information to our Facebook mental health group. (accepting all who want to join!) He also shared with me his results, which was a 20/27.
(My results on the left, best friends results on the right)
As you can see, it provides some information on how you’re not alone, and what to do to get started with treatment. The results continue on to inform you of out reach programs such as NAMI, and the Suicide Prevention Hotline.
Clinical depression is a treatable condition which can impact many aspects of a person’s life. The PHQ-9 can be the first step to getting a proper diagnosis.
– Google, blog.
–> You can read their blog post here!<–
And quite honestly, I feel like they are achieving exactly what they worked for. This is one great step in breaking the stigma around mental health, and encouraging others to get out there and get the help they deserve. Keep spreading awareness and help one another! This is the best tool we have to provide to one another.
We hope that by making this information available on Google, more people will become aware of depression and seek treatment to recover and improve their quality of life
– Google, blog.
Seeing these small acts of encouragement really gets me excited. I hope this inspires you to share this information, and that you too take the test if you’re feeling a bit down. In my opinion, I felt as though the information was spot on, and it’s very eye opening to see something so harsh yet very honest before you. Take those steps to help yourself, because you matter.
You can help support NAMI by donating to this link here!
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In the life of Faith 