I caught this over the weekend and found it to be very interesting: Apparently, Google has launched a tool that serves as a brief depression screening.
First, about the screening. It is the PHQ-9, which is only nine statements. It asks users to select the level of agreement with nine statements, ranging from “Not at all” to “Nearly every day.” They include items like, “Little interest or pleasure in doing things” and “Feeling tired or having little energy.” The information can then be shared with the user’s health care provider and used to seek treatment.
This is noteworthy for many reasons. The screening will pop up in the event that “depression related searches” are made, similar to the way that the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) pops up for suicide related searches. Given the prevalence of Google in modern life, this can, hopefully, help make people more aware of mental illness and steer them to treatment options. This is also particularly important, given the spike in suicide-related Google searches. That spike, incidentally, is tied to 13 Reasons Why on Netflix, a show I suspect I will be writing about in the future.
Indeed, I’d argue that the most significant reason that the availability of the depression questionnaire is important is because of the major rate of spikes in suicide that we are seeing. Suicides are rising across the board, but particularly for young girls aged 15-24, who have seen suicide rates increase to 40 year highs. Obviously, this is the generation that is the most technologically dependent, so increasing their awareness about mental illness and treatment options can be a very, very good and healthy thing.
As good of a thing as this is – and it really, really is a good thing – depression screenings are not without their problems. There are some studies which report that versions of the PHQ can demonstrate “poor specificity in detecting major depression” or false positives.
That being said, for the sake of argument, let’s assume the absolute worst about the PHQ-9: That it leads to an unacceptably high amount of false positives for depression. Google’s use of it is still a great:
- First, false positives is very different than false negatives. A single accurate, positive test about the PHQ-9 can steer people into treatment and give them the help that they so desperately need.
- Second, it can help move positive views of mental illness in a positive direction. Too many people still view mental illness as a weakness or something that can simply be conquered by willpower. That, of course, isn’t the case anymore than a broken arm can be healed by well-wishes. Having a source viewed as positively as Google advertise depression screenings can, hopefully, convince people of the importance of seeking treatment for mental health.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let us know in the comments!
Mike Schlossberg - Author 