High levels of anxiety and depression: USTF suggests depression screenings for adults
LA CROSSE (WKBT) — According to national polls, a growing number of Americans are reporting high levels of anxiety and depression.
Doctors want to help more people recognize the signs early.
The U-S Preventative Task Force wants to screen people under 65 for depression and anxiety even if they don’t have symptoms.
The organization says in 2020, 1 in 5 US adults experienced mental illness but less than half got treatment.
Doctors at Mayo Clinic Health System believe early screenings might help some adults realize they need help and even normalize the treatment process.
“There’s so much stigma about mental health disorders,” said Mayo Clinic’s Department of Family Medicine Dr. Mark Beahm. “Depression and anxiety are not something people often feel comfortable talking about, so they [are] unwilling to bring it up without being prompted.”
The National Task Force is currently taking public comments on its official website.
COPYRIGHT 2022 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
