Three sites in Abbotsford are participating this Thursday, Oct. 9 in the 14th annual Beyond the Blues: Depression Anxiety Education and Screening Day.

The national event, presented by the Canadian Mental Health Association, provides free, anonymous and confidential screening. No appointment is needed.

Beyond the Blues is an annual awareness day to engage people to learn more about mood disorders, which affect about one in seven in a lifetime, and anxiety disorders, which affect one in six, as well as related issues like suicide and risky drinking.

For Beyond the Blues 2008, more than 60 local events will be set up across B.C. Since 1995, this high-profile community education event has reached out to nearly 40,000 British Columbians.

“Depression and anxiety disorders are incredibly common, treatable, but also very disabling,” said Sarah Hamid-Balma, co-ordinator for Beyond the Blues: Depression Anxiety Education and Screening Day.

At the education and screening sites, participants can take part in interactive activities to learn more about mood and anxiety disorders, in their various forms, as well as treatments that have been proven to help.

They have the option to fill out short self-tests on depression and/or anxiety, talk privately with a clinician about the results and next steps, and find out about resources and supports in their community.

The events are free, anonymous, confidential and walk-in. Anyone is welcome to attend, whether they want to fill out a self-test or not.

“A huge focus of Beyond the Blues is providing a friendly and engaging space to help people start conversations about their mental health and help them know of the supports in their community that can help. We want people to leave our events feeling empowered, better informed, hopeful and supported,” says Hamid-Balma.

 There are specially tailored screening forms available for adults, seniors, children, teens, South Asian communities, new or expectant mothers, and people who are concerned about a friend or family member.

The majority of sites are also offering brief self-tests for risky drinking, which also help people see the links between their alcohol use, possible harms, and impacts on their mental well-being.

Last year’s Beyond the Blues poll, for example, found that one in five British Columbians admit that they have had the occasion where they felt depressed or anxious as a result of consuming alcohol. And one in four admit that there has been a time or times when they consumed alcohol because they felt depressed or anxious. 

“This event is for anyone, even if you don’t think something is not quite right. Last year, only half of those screened for depression or anxiety or risky drinking were likely to have symptoms, meaning that more and more, people are coming out to educate themselves so that they can be recognize the signs and what to do next if they or someone they care about is affected down the road,” says Hamid-Balma.

The sites in Abbotsford holding clinics on Oct. 9 are:

n University of the Fraser Valley (33844 King Rd., building B) – runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for students, staff and faculty;

n Clearbrook Library (32320 George Ferguson Way) – 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., available in English and Punjabi and includes guest speakers; and

n the Abbotsford Health Unit (#104 34194 Marshall Rd.) – 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., geared to pregnant or postpartum mothers, but everyone is welcome.

In Mission, a clinic is held Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mission Friendship Centre Society. This is open to the aboriginal community only.

The Beyond the Blues information line is 1-866-917-HOPE (4673). Details are also available online at www.heretohelp.bc.ca.