Free Nov. 15 Symposium Explores Strategies for Conquering Depression

CINCINNATI—The Mood Disorders Center at the University of Cincinnati (UC) Neuroscience Institute will hold "Conquering Depression: Different Approaches for All Ages,” a free educational event for patients, caregivers and family members, from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Daniel Drake Center for Post-Acute Care, 151 W. Galbraith Road.

The symposium is for anyone who has suffered from depression and for their family members and friends. Faculty members of the UC College of Medicine will discuss the latest science and research behind today’s most advanced therapies in a relaxed and friendly environment. There will be time for questions and discussion.

Topics at the conference will include natural remedies for depression; the most commonly asked questions and concerns about medications; thought techniques that can alter mood; recognizing and coping with the effects of post-partum depression; recognizing depression in your child and how you can help; and understanding depression’s links to aging and dementia.

"Depression impacts people of all ages and at all stages of life,” says Melissa DelBello, MD, co-director of the UC Mood Disorders Center and chair of the UC Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience. "The Conquering Depression symposium provides an excellent opportunity for members of our community to better understand depression and to learn about new strategies for overcoming it. These strategies can be particularly helpful at this time of year, when the upcoming holidays pose special challenges for many people with depression.”  

The conference also will feature a presentation by Carol Williams, mental health advocate and news anchor at WCPO-TV, titled "Reporting When Nobody Wants to Talk.”

Featured speakers and breakout session leaders include the following members of the UC faculty and UC Mood Disorders Center:

• Muhammad Aslam, MD, director of the geriatric psychiatry fellowship training program and associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience.

• Erik Nelson, MD, director of the depression research program and associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience.

• Jyoti Sachdeva, MD, specialist at the UC Health Women’s Center and assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience.

• Debra Schroeck, instructor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience.

• Richard Sears, PsyD, integrative medicine specialist and associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience.

• Jeffrey Strawn, MD, director of the pediatric anxiety disorders clinic and assistant professor of pediatrics and psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience. 

Although the symposium is a free event, participants are encouraged to register online at www.ucneuroscience.com/events or by calling 513-558-4866. For more information, please contact Sonya Kirkland at 513-558-4866 or sonya.kirkland@uc.edu. 

The UC Mood Disorders Center is one of 11 centers of excellence at the UC Neuroscience Institute, a partnership of the UC College of Medicine and UC Health.