Free Depression Screenings Offered to Lemon Grove Residents

The county of San Diego today will kick off a weeklong series of free depression screenings at the Health and Human Services Agency's South Regional Center.

During the week, Lemon Grove residents over the age of 18 can visit one of more than three dozen designated sites and receive an anonymous depression screening or learn about the signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders and postpartum depression.

"Clinical depression is a common medical illness suffered by 19 million American adults each year," San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts said in a statement. "One in four adults and one in five children in San Diego County suffer from a mental disorder or difficulty in any given year and depression is the most common."

While there are not clinics in Lemon Grove, a number will be held nearby. Starting today and running through Thursday, the Family Health Centers of San Diego will offer screenings at the Old Spring Valley Elementary school site. On Wednesday, screenings will be offered at the Spring Valley branch of the San Diego County Library.

Other screenings are also scheduled this week at various locations in El Cajon and other neighboring cities. A list of the sites where free screenings are being offered is posted at Community Health Improvement Partners website.

-- City News Service and Patch Staff