Vidant Health Offering Free Screenings | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    GREENVILLE, NC     Vidant Health is offering free depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar screenings across eastern North Carolina during events throughout October. "In partnership with Mental Health America, we are offering people the ability to take a screening tool, and then discuss their personalized results with a local clinician," states Timothy Livengood, outreach manager. "It will be a great way for people to begin a personal discussion about sadness, stress, worry, and trauma, which affect all of us differently."

    Glenn Simpson with Vidant Medical Center's Behavioral Health program elaborated: "Mental Illness Awareness Week is a time we set aside each year to ensure the community knows about the signs, symptoms, and triggers of mental health disorders. These events allow us to reach the community and help educate them on how to stay well, both physically and mentally."

    "Vidant Health's mission is to enhance the quality of life for the people and communities we serve, touch and support. This initiative does just that," remarked Cindy Thomas, Outpatient Behavioral Health Program Director. "We are able to connect people with resources and help them find answers to their questions relating to sadness and stress. This screening is invaluable for patient's whole well-being."

    "Screening for mental health conditions should be as ubiquitous as screening for other chronic conditions," says Paul Gionfriddo, CEO of Mental Health America. "Through our MHA screening initiative and our #B4Stage4 campaign, we at Mental Health America are calling attention to, and building support for, the kinds of initiatives that will identify mental health conditions during the earliest stages of the process. These are the times when recovery is not only possible, but likely – especially when we provide the right services and the right time."

    The screening events will happen throughout eastern North Carolina at four Vidant facilities throughout October:

    •  Vidant Bertie Hospital – Windsor, NC | October 3rd 11:00-1:00 | Hospital Lobby
    •  Vidant Edgecombe Hospital – Tarboro, NC | October 9th 8:00-10:00 | Hospital Cafeteria
    •  Vidant Medical Center – Greenville, NC | October 9th 11:30-2:30 | Pine Room @ Hospital Cafeteria
    •  Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital – Ahoskie, NC | October 20th 11:00-1:00 | Hospital Lobby

    These screenings are FREE and open to the public and no appointment is necessary.

    For more information, please visit VidantHealth.com/BehavioralHealth or call Timothy Livengood at 252.847.8464.

    Contact: Beth Anne Atkins, Vidant Health Strategic Development, (252) 744-3891,

    Vidant Health, a mission-driven, not-for-profit corporation, owns, leases or has a majority membership interest in nine eastern North Carolina hospitals and has a management agreement with one other. The health system includes Albemarle Health, Vidant Beaufort Hospital, Vidant Bertie Hospital, Vidant Chowan Hospital, Vidant Duplin Hospital, Vidant Edgecombe Hospital, The Outer Banks Hospital, Vidant Medical Center, Vidant Pungo Hospital, Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Vidant Home Health and Hospice, Vidant Wellness Centers, Vidant Medical Group and is affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. On the web at www.vidanthealth.com