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There Is Hope: Transforming Depression Treatment During Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to spotlight the importance of mental well-being and recognize that there is no health without mental health. As we observe this crucial month, it’s imperative to address the silent epidemic of depression that affects over 21 million adults in the U.S. annually. For nearly 90% of those diagnosed, depression disrupts daily life, impacting work, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Even more concerning is treatment-resistant depression (TRD), a form that doesn’t respond to traditional antidepressants, affecting nearly 30% of those with major depressive disorder. TRD often leads to severe outcomes, with suicide being the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 20 to 34.
Those experiencing major depression often have a period of at least two weeks where they have a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities, and may have other symptoms including problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration, or self-worth.
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center has established the Depression Center of Excellence to improve and streamline care delivery for our patients and their loved ones. Working as a team, psychiatrists, residents, psychologists, social workers, and administrative staff at the Center will conduct a comprehensive assessment, provide a diagnosis, and develop a treatment plan that is suited to everyone.
Comprehensive and Innovative Treatments Offering New Hope
The Depression Center of Excellence at Bergen New Bridge offers:
- Psychiatry consultations
- Diagnostic assessment and evaluation
- Dual-diagnosis counseling
- Connection to individual & group therapy
- Medication stabilization and management
- Connection to the full healthcare service line
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): Modern ECT is a safe, outpatient procedure that stimulates brain activity to restore chemical balance. Up to 90% of patients with severe depression report significant improvement after ECT treatment.
- Ketamine: Originally used as anesthetics, these treatments target the brain’s glutamate system, providing rapid relief—often within hours—for patients with suicidal thoughts.
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): This noninvasive procedure uses magnetic pulses to activate underperforming brain areas, leading to long-term remission for many patients.
- Aftercare planning & support
Breaking the Stigma and Expanding Access
Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a reminder that mental health is integral to overall health. It’s a call to action to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and to advocate for expanded access to innovative treatments. By embracing these advancements and fostering open conversations, we can offer every patient the chance to feel whole again.
Because no one should suffer in silence. Because every life is worth saving. Because hope is real—and it’s here.
Bergen New Bridge is the largest hospital in New Jersey and a leading provider of mental health services. Join us this May in recognizing the strides made in mental health care and in supporting those on their journey to recovery.
For more information on Bergen New Bridge/s Depression Center of Excellence, visit Depression Center of Excellence | Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Paramus NJ or call 551.502.5365.
