Episcopal Health Services (EHS) in Far Rockaway held its annual National Depression Screening Day on Thursday, Oct. 10, offering free mental health screenings and resources in the parking lot of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital.
The event, organized by the Population Health team at EHS, aimed to address the prevalence of depression and provide attendees with supportive pathways to manage their mental health.
“Depression is a serious medical issue that affects millions of people each year,” said Preet Kukreja, Director of Population Health at EHS. “By screening community members, we have an opportunity to connect individuals with the support they need to manage their mental health.”
Joining EHS were local community partners, including the Queens Community Justice Center, The B.R.I.D.G.E. Family Enrichment Center, and Ocean Bay Community Development Corporation, which provided mental health resources to attendees. Adding a unique element to the event, North Shore Animal League’s Mobile Puppy Unit—sponsored by the St. John’s ICARE Foundation—brought adoptable puppies to help create a relaxed and welcoming environment.
“The foundation was proud to sponsor the mobile puppy unit for National Depression Screening Day,” said Nancy Leghart, Executive Director of the St. John’s ICARE Foundation. “When the Population Health team approached us about supporting their event by creating a more relaxed atmosphere to ease the stress for participants and reinforce the importance of mental health care in our community, we were happy to help.”
Research from the National Alliance on Mental Illness shows that interactions with animals can help reduce stress and anxiety, lessen feelings of loneliness, encourage physical activity, and improve overall health.
“At EHS, we are committed to raising awareness of depression and the importance of early screenings,” said Renee Hastick-Motes, Senior Vice President, Chief External Officer at EHS and President of St. John’s ICARE Foundation. “Depression can have a profound impact on individuals and their families, and events like these help us address this serious issue head-on by providing resources and support. We were thrilled that puppies were adopted during the event and hope they will bring comfort to their new families, helping to alleviate the stress and loneliness that so often accompany depression.”
