People in the US who search Google for “depression” on their
mobile phones will soon have the option to take a screening questionnaire to
test whether they’re depressed. The new feature, which Google spokeswoman Susan
Cadrecha says "will be fully rolled out on mobile in the US over the next
day or so," isn't meant to subvert a medical evaluation. It's meant to
steer you to one if you appear depressed.
Clinical depression is a fairly common condition: about one
in five Americans experience an episode in their lifetime, according to the
National Alliance on Mental Illness, but only about 50 percent of people who
have depression get treated for it.
When you Google “depression” in the US, you will see a box
atop the results on mobile, which Google calls a Knowledge Panel. The box contains
information on what depression is, what its symptoms are, and possible
treatments. The update adds the option to tap on “check if you’re clinically
depressed” and take a clinically validated screening questionnaire called
PHQ-9. The self-assessment is private and is meant to help steer people who
might be depressed toward in-person evaluations.
“The results of the PHQ-9 can help you have a more informed
conversation with your doctor,” according to the National Alliance on Mental
Illness, which partnered with Google on the questionnaire.
The organization hopes that by making the questionnaire
easily available on Google, more people will become aware of their own illness
and seek treatment. People who have symptoms of depression — such as anxiety,
insomnia, or fatigue — wait an average of six to eight years before getting
treatment, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
