Screening Tools
November 2, 2017 in Educate Yourself
Have you ever gone to your doctor for a routine physical and while you waited you were asked to complete some surveys? Did these surveys ever containing sensitive questions?
If this has happened to you, you most likely completed a screening questionnaire. A screening tool, such as the PHQ-9 (or patient health questionnaire) asks a series of questions that have been shown in the research to help identify when an individual might be experiencing symptoms of a health condition, like depression or anxiety. Then at the end all the responses are totaled for a final score, which helps interpret the symptoms. 
It’s important to know that while screening is very useful, it’s only a starting point. These tools can help initiate a conversation with your doctor or with someone you trust. Screening tools cannot be used to make a diagnosis, but rather let your doctor know to ask additional questions. Only by talking to a professional, and usually more than just one time, can you figure out if you have a mental health condition.
Also, the results from a screening tool will only be helpful if you answer the questions honestly. Read through the questionnaire slowly and pay special attention to the specified time period to which the questions refer. Sometimes it can be difficult to talk to your doctor about some of these signs and symptoms, perhaps because of the stigma about mental illnesses. Therefore, it is helpful to remember that many of your symptoms can be treated, especially when identified early. Mental illnesses have specific signs and symptoms, and when left alone, symptoms can become more serious. Mental health checkups are just as important as a physical checkup.
You can also screen yourself by taking a screening tool online (click here for the screening tool in Spanish). This can be a great starting point for you to assess and educate yourself about the symptoms you are experiencing. Then you can discuss any concerns with a professional, like your primary care physician or school counselor.
Lastly, we often only go to the doctor when we are not physically feeling our best. For example, if we are tired (or have a lack of energy) or have changes in our diet, or our bodies ache, we are more likely to go to the doctor. We do not necessarily seek out an appointment with our physician for our mental health. However, some of the physical symptoms that make us schedule a doctor’s visit, can be symptoms of depression or anxiety (or another condition). For more information, please talk to a professional about screening tools.
Have you ever taken a screening questionnaire at your doctor’s office or on your own? If you’re comfortable, we would love to hear your experience or if you have any questions about the subject’s of today’s post. Leave us a comment below!
Social media is a tool that has great potential. Social media has the potential to connect people from all over the world to create communities of like-minded people. One of the most positive ways that social media has impacted our everyday life is through advocacy. Advocacy is defined by Merriam Webster as “the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal.” Social media can be used as an advocacy tool, and recently has been used to advocate for mental health. Social media accounts such as mentalhealthamerica, namicommunicate, and project1in4 are bringing mental health awareness to a larger audience through their Instagram accounts. Mental health advocacy through social media can be done by providing supportive resources, giving contact information for hotlines and mental health professionals, or even something as simple as offering daily words of encouragement. Various social media accounts are devoted to breaking the stigma that exists around mental health. Starting a dialogue about mental health is the first step to both breaking the stigma and making mental health a priority for everyone.
Have you ever seen a social media post that you found to be hurtful, offensive, or just… not cool? Here are 
Here are some useful links to try! We’ve written about some of these on the site. If you have any other that aren’t on the list – let us know.
However, first it is important to note ssome differences between bullying and cyberbullying. Cyberbullying:
![IMG_6620[1]](https://sova.pitt.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/IMG_66201.png)
As a college student who suffered from insomnia, it has been a tough fight for me to show up and pay attention in class. I tried all of the resources that my school offered: I went to counseling, I met with a psychiatrist, I took prescribed medication. However, most of the time the medication I was taking was too sedating. It left me feeling groggy and I had trouble concentrating. There was one thing, though, that every doctor I saw has emphasized: practicing good sleep hygiene. If you are able to practice sleep hygiene, it is definitely essential to helping improve your sleep habits, as well as sleep quality. 
up when a sleep cycle or half of it is complete. I find by using the app, I start my day more refreshed and energetic.
Most likely you have heard about being responsible when posting on social media. It is a topic that can seem easy to accomplish, but often the line between what is and what is not appropriate to share on social media sites can become easily blurred. We are use to posting anything that comes to mind, and sharing any picture that displays what we have been up to without a second thought. However, as technology advances, and we share more of our lives on social media, employers and other important individuals or establishments (e.g., universities) are increasing their methods for social media creeping.
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