UC has organized its first systemwide Depression Awareness Day, offering information to faculty and staff on the signs, symptoms and treatment of depression, and how employees can access support for themselves, their families, friends and colleagues.
“People suffer with depression without insight into what the symptoms mean,” said Christine M. Jerusik, a doctoral intern with the Davis campus’s Academic and Staff Assistance Program, or ASAP.
All the more reason to log into UC’s Depression Awareness Day webinar, to be presented four times on Thursday (Oct. 11): 9 and 10:30 a.m., and 1:30 and 3 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 11). No preregistration; the links for each webinar are below.
You can watch from your desk, or you are invited to join ASAP for a group viewing at 10:30 a.m., in Meeting Room 1 at the Activities and Recreation Center. ASAP representatives will offer depression screening for those who are interested.
A news release from the UC Office of the President refers to U.S. Centers for Disease Control statistics showing that depression affects 9.1 percent of Americans. In the UC system, psychologists have reported an increase in the volume or severity of symptoms, or both, among employees seeking help.
“We need to be as focused on treatment as we are at physical illnesses,” said Dwaine Duckett, vice president of systemwide Human Resources. “We’re offering this webinar so our employees can learn how to take advantage of the resources and benefits UC offers in this area also.”
The webinar leader is Joseph Hullett, a board-certified psychiatrist with Optum (formerly United Behavioral Health), which provides behavioral health services for most UC employees. He was an assistant professor in residence for three years at the UCLA and UC Irvine medical schools before transitioning to the private sector.
Webinar instructions
Choose a webinar time and click on the link. When prompted to enter your name and email address, you may enter your name or a pseudonym. You may also use any email address you wish.
More information
ASAP offers confidential, cost-free assessment, intervention, consultation and referral services to all faculty and staff and their immediate families, who live with them, year-round. Visit the office in the Guilbert House, 112 A St., Davis, or call (530) 752-2727.
Optum provides services through a network of local clinicians; there are no copays for the first three visits. More information is available online (to access the UC-specific page, use the access code 11280 in the box labeled “Members: Access Anonymously”). Or call (888) 440-8225.
Media Resources
Dave Jones, Dateline, 530-752-6556, dljones@ucdavis.edu