How Good is Your Mental Health? The importance of regular Checkups

Abstract

Most people schedule time for annual physicals, dental exams and routine vision screenings. Until recently, fewer people had annual mental health checkups. Now, according to a recent article in The New York Times, many doctors are routinely asking patients to complete the Patient Health Questionnaire (P.H.Q.-9) during regular exams to assess their patients for signs of depression. "Regular mental health checks are important because many of the symptoms of depression or anxiety disorders come on so gradually that you might not be aware how much the condition is affecting your daily life," explains Liz Ferron, MSW, LICSW, Physician Practice Lead for VITAL WorkLife. Ferron believes part of the reason people don't have time to reflect on their personal health and well being is that their lives and their minds are simply too busy. "People are pushing themselves, or being pushed to do more with less, in every sphere of their lives."