The TCU Counseling, Testing and Mental Health Center will administer depression screenings on Sept. 12 on the first floor of the Brown-Lupton University Union.

Dr. Kristin McDonald and other licensed psychologists from the center will conduct short five-minute screenings to help students realize if they have any symptoms of depression or anxiety. 

"It is about nine questions," McDonald said. "After they take the screening, they will meet with one of the psychologists there and we will go over the results with them." 

According to McDonald, around 10 percent of the university student body uses resources provided by the Counseling, Testing and Mental Health Center. 

"I would encourage students that everyone goes through difficult times," McDonald said. "Most people in their lifetimes will experience some symptoms of depression and it is OK to seek help for those because it takes a lot of courage to come in and face what's going on."

Along with depression screenings, the Counseling, Testing and Mental Health Center offers a variety of other services, including anxiety outreach programs and substance abuse screenings. The psychologists also use a computer program called EmWave, which allows the user to see their bio feedback, heart rate and anxiety level.

"The bio feedback helps people learn how to manage stress in a concrete way because they can see the effect that anxiety management strategies have on their level of anxiety on the computer screen," McDonald said.

"You won't be able to help other people if you're not healthy yourself," McDonald. "That's why I encourage people to come get help first. Sometimes it's helpful to help yourself before you help others."
 

The depression screenings begin at 11 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. For more information, students can contact the Counseling, Testing and Mental Health Center at 817-257-7863.