Depression

Depression

Also known as:

Depression is an illness that causes you to feel sad, to lose interest in activities that you've always enjoyed, to withdraw from others, and to have little energy. It's different from normal feelings of sadness, grief or low energy. Depression can also cause people to feel hopeless about the future and even to think about suicide.

Providence Behavioral Health Services offers a comprehensive range of treatments to help people recover and regain control of their lives. Our treatment programs help people develop management and coping skills to deal with emotional crises or destructive behaviors. We evaluate the use of medications to help stabilize thought processes, and we provide group support for families, patients and other friends.  For critical situations, our inpatient and outpatient programs treat a wide variety of mental and substance use disorders with safe and compassionate care.

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Services offered by Providence

Academic evaluation

Even with treatment, symptoms of behavioral health disorders in children and adolescents can be difficult to manage and can make school challenging. R More »

Cancer counseling

Our professional cancer counselors assist cancer patients, their families and friends in coping with the emotional effects of cancer on their lives. C More »

Cancer financial counseling

In keeping with our mission and core values, Providence Health & Services cares for people and their health needs, even if they can’t afford to pa More »

Cancer information and referral

Providence Cancer Support Services provides emotional and practical support to cancer patients and their families when they need it most. More »

Cancer support groups

Cancer support groups provide education and support for cancer patients and their loved ones. Support groups are led by our professional staff and are More »

Mental health assessment and evaluation

Health professionals often do a brief mental health assessment during regular checkups. If you are having symptoms of a mental health problem, your do More »

Oncology social work

Oncology social workers assess the needs of cancer patients. They can facilitate communication with the health care team, provide emotional support an More »

Physical and laboratory evaluation

A mental health assessment may include a physical exam. Your doctor will review your past medical history, as well as that of your family members, and More »

Psychiatric evaluation and medication management

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems, such as depression. They provide counseling More »

From the experts

A light at the end of the tunnel

Some extra grumpiness is normal at this time of year. But for people with seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, the effects of winter’s doldrums go much deeper.

Parting the clouds of winter depression

Christina Malango has learned a lot in her 10-year struggle with the winter depression known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. She’s learned that if you’re not getting results from your treatment, a second opinion – or a third – never hurts. She has found that some of the things that worked best for her, such as getting outside and exercising, are the things we all should be doing for our health. She’s learned that if you’ve tried multiple remedies and you still aren’t feeling right, it’s time to look deeper – something else could be going on. And finally, she has rediscovered the beauty in the changing seasons.

Recommended Resources

Depression and Aging Information at the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation

Healthwise Decision Point: Should I take an antidepressant?

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Online Depression Screening Tool