The ‘2-Minute Mind Check’, a Free, Online Resource to Self-Assess Depression, Is Launched by ADAA, NAMI-SF, Meru Health and San Francisco Bay Area Partners
SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB) December 12, 2017 -- The 2-Minute Mind Check (2MMC), an online resource for measuring and getting support for depression, launched today at http://www.2minutemindcheck.com. Developed by the ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America), NAMI-SF (National Alliance on Mental Illness-San Francisco) and Meru Health, the 2-Minute Mind Check is intended to help break the stigma and to help those who needlessly suffer from depression.
This Bay Area initiative helps users determine where they stand on the depression scale in 2 minutes or less by completing a free, anonymous online questionnaire. Individuals with depressive symptoms (and everyone who comes to the website) receive access to free educational materials and events on depression, anxiety and stress, as well as connection to online communities and talk lines so they know they are not alone.
The confidential 2-Minute Mind Check can be taken at http://www.2minutemindcheck.com/ wherever you are -- at home, work, or on the go - in Uber or Lyft, BART, Caltrain, or MUNI.
Check out the 2-Minute Mind Check web site to learn more about the symptoms and causes of depression and ways depression can be treated. There are instructions on setting up a Personal Healing Plan and tools for boosting one’s mood -- including free music, exercises and apps that can help combat anxiety, sleep better, and improve focus.
Susan K. Gurley, JD, Executive Director, Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) said: "ADAA is delighted to be collaborating with NAMI-SF and Meru Health on the 2-Minute Mind Check. Joining together we can help employees in the San Francisco Bay Area (a region of our country where productivity is prioritized and asking for help is viewed as a failing) determine where they stand on the depression scale and encourage those that are struggling to speak openly about their challenges, seek help and access the many free resources that our organizations provide. Together we can triumph over depression and change lives.”
Anne Fischer, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness-San Francisco (NAMI-SF) noted: “Given the high level of depression among entrepreneurs, it’s important that people participate in the 2-Minute Mind Check: identify one’s level of depression, discuss openly in a safe community the impacts of depression on our lives, and take advantage of free tools, resources and support.”
Kristian Ranta, CEO of Meru Health added: “We are honored to be working side by side with ADAA and NAMI-SF to tackle the problem of depression in the workplace. Too many people are needlessly suffering and the costs to employers in the U. S. are rising.”
Statistics on Depression:
- Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S.; more than 16 million people suffer from it annually.
- For many people depression is a terminal illness and causes over 44,000 suicides in the U.S. every year.
- In addition to causing great suffering to individuals and families, depression causes $210B in annual economic loss in the U.S.
- 30% of entrepreneurs report experiences of depression in their lives.
Because the holidays can be a sad and lonely time of year for people suffering from depression, WeWork is hosting a free event on December 13th (6-8pm) -- Holiday Stress? Learn Survival Tips for Beating the Holiday Blues. Hear from renowned mental health experts Philippe Goldin, Associate Professor, University of California, Davis, Elissa Epel, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, and moderator, Emily Hine, Vice President, Meru Health, about ways to prevent depression from taking over this holiday season. Tickets are free with advanced RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/feeling-stressed-learn-survival-tips-for-beating-the-holiday-blues-tickets-39709626562. WeWork Transbay, 535 Mission St (14th floor), San Francisco, CA 94105.
The 2-Minute Mind Check working group consists of Susan Gurley, Executive Director, Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA); Michael Gleason, Chairman and CEO, Consumer Brands, LLC and ADAA Board Member; Anne Fischer, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-SF); Ruth O’Hara, Ph.D, Assoc. Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (VA Geriatric), Stanford University School of Medicine/VA Aging Clinical Research Center; Christine Gould, Ph.D, Instructor (affiliated), Stanford University School of Medicine, Philippe Goldin, Ph.D, Associate Professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, and Kristian Ranta, Founder & CEO, Meru Health.
Partners and Volunteers: The 2-Minute Mind Check team would like to thank entrepreneur and investor Brad Feld, MBSR corporate trainer, and psychotherapist Renée Burgard, and partners including the Health Technology Forum, the Mental Health Association of San Francisco (MHASF) and Orchid.
The 2-Minute Mind Check also supports Mental Health in the Workplace, a MHASF initiative that offers resources and training to employers for restoring wellness in the workplace.
To take the 2-Minute Mind Check and access resources and upcoming events, visit http://www.2minutemindcheck.com.
About 2-Minute Mind Check
The 2-Minute Mind Check campaign aims to help employees in the San Francisco Bay determine where they stand on the depression scale and share helpful resources with those in need. The 2-Minute Mind Check is a community initiative of the ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America), NAMI-SF (National Alliance on Mental Illness-San Francisco), and Meru Health.
About NAMI-SF
The National Alliance on Mental Illness in San Francisco (NAMI SF) is the community's voice on mental illness. We are a part of grass-roots, nonprofit, national NAMI organization, and also an affiliate of NAMI California. NAMI San Francisco was founded in 1983 by family members of people living with a mental illness.
About ADAA
Founded in 1979, ADAA is an international nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression and related disorders through education, practice, and research. ADAA provides education about the disorders and helps people find treatment, resources, and support.
About Meru Health
Meru Health Inc., a Palo Alto, California- and Helsinki, Finland-based company, is the creator of an 8-week digital therapeutics program for depression and burnout, which includes a smartphone application, a personal licensed therapist and an anonymous peer-group functionality. Meru Health is committed to reducing suffering and empowering people living with depression.
S. Neil Vineberg, 2-Minute Mind Check, https://www.2minutemindcheck.com/, +1 631-377-1494, [email protected]
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