Self-care education program
about spinal cord injury

Depression Info Guide # 12



  1. Depression is an illness that can affect anyone. Up to 5% of Americans get depressed annually.
  2. Depression is more prevalent amongst the SCI population.
  3. Depression is not just feeling “down”.  It is a medical disorder that may affect your thoughts, your behaviors, and your physical health.
  4. There are a number of websites that are shown in the links section of this document that effectively list the symptoms that may point to depression.
  5. If you believe that you may be clinically depressed and you have been feeling this way for more than a week or two, you should contact your health care provider. You may need to visit a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or a counselor who has experience treating depression.
  6. Depression can be effectively treated.  Psychotherapy and medications are clinically proven to reduce the symptoms of depression.
  7. If you are having thoughts of death or suicide, you should contact your health care provider or a mental health professional as soon as possible.
  8. If you have serious thoughts of suicide, call 911 or a crisis line immediately.

Remember, depression is treatable. 
You do not have to suffer from this condition for the rest of your life.

Depression
screening.org

Sponsored by NMHA

http://www.depression-screening.org/

Website about

National Institute of Mental Health

Website information on
Depression

National Spinal Cord Injury Association

Extremely good source for links
Check out the resources page

Mental Health America

National Mental Health Association
(NMHA)


www.nmha.org

Good General Mental Health Information

Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System

University of Washington

http://sci.
washington.edu/

Depression and Spinal Cord Injury

downloadable brochure

in PDF format

Paralyzed Veterans of America

www.pva.org

Depression Following Spinal Cord Injury:
A Clinical Practice Guideline for Primary Care Physicians

downloadable

in PDF format

Paralyzed Veterans of America

www.pva.org

Depression What You Should Know:
A Guide for People with Spinal Cord Injury

downloadable

in PDF format