Why a Mental Health Screening Belongs on Your Fall To-Do List
Every October, National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month invites us to do something simple but powerful: check in on our mental health the same way we check in on our physical health. You likely already have a flu shot or annual physical on the calendar this fall. A mental health screening deserves a spot right next to them.
Depression is more common than many people realize
If you have been feeling low, you are far from alone. In early 2026, Gallup found that 19.1% of U.S. adults (nearly 1 in 5) reported currently having or being treated for depression, and 29.5% said they had been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives, up from 19.6% in 2015. Young adults and people experiencing loneliness reported especially high rates.
Those numbers are sobering, but they also carry a hopeful message: depression is common, it is not a personal failing, and it is very treatable.
Signs it may be time for a screening
Depression doesn't always look like sadness. It can show up quietly in everyday life. Consider reaching out if, for two weeks or more, you have noticed:
A persistent low, empty, or irritable mood
Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
Changes in sleep, whether sleeping too much or too little
Changes in appetite or energy
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness
Pulling away from friends, family, or your partner
What a screening looks like
A depression screening is usually a short questionnaire about how you have been feeling over the past few weeks. Your primary care provider can do one at your next visit, or you can schedule an appointment with a licensed therapist. A screening is not a label. It is a starting point for a conversation about what you are experiencing and what support might help.
How therapy helps
Therapy gives you a safe, judgment-free space to understand what is driving your depression and to build practical tools for feeling better. Depending on your needs, that may include learning to notice and shift negative thought patterns, rebuilding routines that support your mood, strengthening relationships, and processing life transitions or losses that may be weighing on you.
Depression also affects the people closest to us. Couples and family therapy can help loved ones understand what you are going through and learn how to support one another.
Small steps you can take this week
Get moving. A short daily walk can lift mood and energy.
Protect your sleep. Aim for consistent bed and wake times.
Reach out. Text or call one person you trust. Connection is a powerful antidote to loneliness.
Ask for a screening. Bring it up at your next medical appointment, or contact a therapist directly.
Support in Wichita, KS
At Elara Therapy, we offer compassionate, evidence-based depression therapy for individuals, couples, and families in Wichita, with both in-person and telehealth options. If you are ready to talk, reach out to schedule a consultation. You can also learn more about our approach on our depression therapy page.
If you are in crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call COMCARE's 24-Hour Crisis Center at 316-660-7500. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
This post is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.
