One in six people will experience depression in their lifetime. Although depression is a common illness, it is often under-diagnosed and undertreated. Like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, depression is a serious, chronic condition that is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.
This “one in six” is also true of retired professional football players – as many as 15 percent experience moderate to severe depression, according to a University of Michigan survey of 1,600 members of the NFLPA from 2006. However, most players who report depression symptoms do not seek professional help, many because they are not aware of the resources available or the seriousness of depressive illnesses.
The University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center (UMDC) is devoted entirely to bringing depression into the mainstream of medical research, translational care, education, and public policy. The Center’s mission is to detect depression and bipolar disorders earlier, treat more effectively, prevent recurrences and progression, counteract stigma, and improve public policy. NFL Total Wellness is proud to partner with the UMDC to provide the NFL Family with access to their information and resources on Mental Health.
Please browse these select resources from the UMDC, or visit their website via the Resources links for more information.
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Source: http://www.depressioncenter.org