MHA Urges Immediate Screening for Most Common Mental Illnesses

Mental Health America Urges Immediate Screening for Most Common Mental Illnesses

A Partnership to Provide the M3 Checklist, a Free Online Personalized Mental Health Screen for Prevalent Mental Health Diseases

Contact: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588 or svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (April 18, 2013)—Mental health screening can save lives, says Mental Health America. Mental health has consequences beyond those we've been hearing about in recent media reports on shootings, gun control, military suicides and other public issues. Undiagnosed mental illness affects every part of an individual's overall health as well.

Mental Health America provides the only online test that screens for depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD and anxiety. The innovative online mood-screening tool is offered in partnership with M3 which created this medically proven checklist for mental health well-being.
Visitors simply need to click on the box in the upper right corner of the Mental Health America home page labeled “How's Your Mood Today” to start the three-minute self-assessment process. The customized assessment provides a score that a person can then share with his or her physician and monitor over time.

“There's never been a better time to talk about mental health,” said Wayne W. Lindstrom, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. “Thanks to the results of research and technology, our mental health can be measured much like other vital signs in our body, such as heart rate or blood sugar. We welcome this opportunity to join forces with WhatsMyM3 so more people can become aware of how their mood affects their overall health.”

People need to be screened because mental health has a significant impact on physical health, including risk factors for chronic illness such as cancer. Undiagnosed and misdiagnosed mental health issues can take several years off a person's life, sometimes in surprising and unanticipated ways.

Gerald Hurowitz, Chief Medical Officer of M3, shares that "Mental Health America is a leader in bringing important solutions in mental health to people in their community. This effort to coordinate the M3 screen with important care options further shows where Mental Health America helps people connect with solutions to improve their health."

Since May is Mental Health Month, it's the perfect time for people to get screened, get their score—and then share that information privately with their health care provider. Visit Mental Health America to get screened today.

About Mental Health America

Mental Health America, founded in 1909, and is the nation’s leading community-based network dedicated to helping all Americans achieve wellness by living mentally healthier lives. With our 240 affiliates across the country, we touch the lives of millions — advocating for changes in mental health and wellness policy; educating the public and providing critical information; and delivering urgently needed mental health and wellness programs and services. For more information, visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net.

About M3 Information

Based on the M3 Checklist validation study published in the Annals of Family Medicine, the M3 score gives people a number to help them and their doctor better understand and manage their overall health. The M3 screen matches the individual abilities of the single disease screens for depression, bipolar, anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This ability to look at more than one disease helps reduce missed cases and potentially avoid mistreatment. The clinician version is available at http://www.M3Clinician.com, which provides mental health management (detection and monitoring) for primary care. M3 is used to improve care in family medicine, behavioral health and hospital settings.

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