TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – West Alabama residents can receive a free depression screening offered at a University of Alabama clinic Oct. 9 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., as part of National Depression Screening Day.

The screenings, which will take about 20 minutes, are offered by UA's Geropsychology Clinic, which is housed in the Psychology Clinic in Gordon Palmer Hall on the UA campus. Though the primary focus is on senior citizens, others in the community are welcome. For more information, phone 205/348-1921.

Depression is a common problem many people face that affects memory, mood, health and behavior, said Dr. Forrest Scogin, professor of psychology in UA’s College of Arts and Sciences. Some individuals lack energy and may experience trouble sleeping or eating. Depression can cause people to refuse to participate in their usual activities resulting in further isolation and a more severe depression. Depressed individuals may believe that the depression is their own fault or a punishment for their past actions. In older adults, depression is also common and is often associated with memory and health concerns.

During National Depression Screening Day, people all over the country will be able to obtain free depression screenings in their local areas, as part of a nation-wide depression awareness effort. To learn more about National Depression Screening Day, visit www.mentalhealthscreening.org/depression.htm.

The Geropsychology Clinic also offers other services for seniors on a sliding scale fee, based on income. Other services include neuropsychological and psychological assessments, consultations and interventions for health care decision-making and future planning, dementia caregiving services, competency assessments, and psychotherapy services.

The Geropsychology Clinic, co-sponsored by UA's department of psychology and UA's Center for Mental Health and Aging, will later offer additional informational seminars. Future topics will include health and nutritional awareness, caregiving for elderly loved ones, and ways of preparing and coping with end of life issues.

UA graduate students in the doctoral psychology program, who are supervised by licensed UA psychologists, provide the clinic's services. UA faculty members involved with the clinic include Scogin; Dr. Kristine Lokken, a clinical neuropsychologist; Drs. Rebecca Allen and Lou Burgio, clinical geropsychologists, and Dr. Sheila Black, a cognitive geropsychologist.