For a free, confidential Anxiety Disorder Screening call the New Jersey MentalHealthCares Helpline at 1-866-202-HELP(4357) (TTY 877-294-4356). 

If you or someone you know may be suffering from generalized anxiety or depression, call the MHANJ’s NJMentalHealthCares Helpline and take the anxiety disorders screening or depression screening. The number to call is 1-866-202-HELP (4357) (TTY 1-877-294-4356). The screening only takes a few minutes and provides confidential results and information on where to find treatment. Anxiety Disorder Screenings will be available starting May 8, 2014.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder:Studies show that we spend about 26 years of our life sleeping. There’s a good reason, too. Sleep is an integral part of overall health and well-being. Think about a specific day when you got little to no sleep-you felt slow, vacant, and most likely had a difficult time staying focused. Unhealthy sleeping habits can develop in high school and follow you through to adulthood. It can be difficult to break them. It’s easy to prioritize work, school, family and entertainment before a good night’s sleep. Most adults need 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to function well.

If you have been having trouble getting a good night’s rest for some time, there’s a chance you may be suffering from generalized anxiety or depression. Those with generalized anxiety can often have difficulty falling or staying asleep. Some people also report their sleep to be restless and unsatisfying. There is also a link between lack of sleep and depression. In fact, one of the most common symptoms of depression is insomnia. Click here for more information about anxiety disorder from the National Institute of Mental Health.

Although the screenings are not diagnostic, they do provide valuable insight helping to identify if someone is exhibiting symptoms associated with depression and other mood disorders and if they should seek help.

Screening for anxiety disorder, depression and substance abuse disorder are part of the NJMentalHealthCares Emotional Fitness Check-In Initiative. Additional topics will be added in the coming months.

The New Jersey MentalHealthCares Helpline is funded by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Assistance is available in many languages. For more information call 1-866-202-HELP(4357) (TTY 877-294-4356).