translated from Spanish: They design a test for the detection of symptoms of anxiety and depression

Since the beginning of the pandemic – in March 2020 – many studies have reported that anxiety disorders and depression have increased worldwide as a result of the health crisis. However no one has warned us about whether the symptoms or changes in our mood are normal reactions to the inconveniences of life or require professional treatment. In response, Maybelline New York, the makeup brand, launched, together with Fundación INECO – a non-profit organization that supports research programs on the prevention, detection and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders – a program to assist those suffering from anxiety and depression, help make these disorders visible and de-stigmatize, support those who are struggling and their loved ones and let them know that they are not alone or alone.” Mental health is indispensable for anyone to feel ready to achieve all that is proposed. That is why our commitment begins by transmitting information to learn how to identify symptoms, giving recommendations, containment and follow-up through the online platform”, explained Ángeles Gnecco, Marketing Director of the Division of Products of Large Public of L’Oréal Argentina.Si you have doubts about the current state of your emotional health – and if you are over 18 years old – the campaign “Brave Together” (We are braver) proposes to complete a survey that does not take more than 10 minutes and that allows in the field of health to detect symptoms of anxiety and depression and classify patients according to the urgency of care. To do so click here.” It is personal and private, and evaluates reliably and with scientific rigor” explained Fabian Triskier, Psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Adolescent Psychiatrist at INECO to Filo.News and detailed: “The scale used is that of Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HADS). This scale has been widely used to assess emotional distress in patients with different chronic conditions. It was created by Zigmund and Snaith (1983) for the assessment of cognitive and behavioral symptoms. It is a 14-point self-application questionnaire, composed of two subscales of seven each, one for anxiety (odd reagents) and one for depression (even reagents). Fundación INECO together with Maybelline, managed to adapt it to be able to implement it in an open way to the whole community”. The test can result in “no symptomatology” or “no symptomatology”. In the first case, a digital return is made and information and ways to practice self-care are recommended. If the symptomatology is confirmed, the return will be given by a professional of the team in a virtual personal interview that lasts approximately 40 minutes, has no cost and will be in a day and time to be agreed between both parties. After the interview, the professional will be able to “confirm the symptomatology” or “rule out the symptomatology”, specified Dr. Teresa Torralva, Director, Executive and President of Fundación INECO. “In addition, public health centers close to home are made available in case the person does not have social work / prepaid,” continued Fabian Triskier.Currently, 1 in 5 people suffers anxiety or depression worldwide affecting more than 284 million people. In Argentina the program was launched on July 13, 2021 and in less than 24 hours the foundation received more than 700 surveys. To date this number has been more than doubled and preliminary results show that in a sample of 1700 surveys “more than 80% of people report symptoms of anxiety and / or depression”, Gnecco told Filo.News and said: “Our commitment begins by transmitting information to learn how to identify symptoms, giving recommendations, containment and follow-up through the online platform”. Finally, as part of this action, Maybelline is committed to investing $10 million globally over the next five years in mental health organizations around the world that share the goal of making a real difference. The psychological impact of the pandemic is evident and impacts on our daily activities and our future, so it is important to take care of mental health at all ages. However it is much easier to treat these disorders with help. You are not alone, you are not alone and we are braver.

Original source in Spanish