Alcohol Awareness Month continues with National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD), a screening program held annually on Thursday of the first full week of April by Screening for Mental Health (SMH) since 1991. This year, NASD falls on April 11.
On NASD, Screening for Mental Health raises awareness of alcohol misuse by educating the public on the symptoms and dangers of alcohol abuse, encouraging individuals to assess their alcohol behavior for misuse, and referring individuals with alcohol abuse problems to seek treatment.
SMH offers alcohol screening programs for the military, colleges and universities, community-based organizations, and business. On NASD, military members and their families, college students, and any member of the general public can take a free, anonymous screening online or at a local screening facility or event.
The screening program is designed to help individuals assess their drinking habits for signs of alcohol misuse and seek help before the problem gets worse. Because alcohol abuse can result from other mental health problems and worsen their symptoms, the self-assessment also helps individuals identify other alcohol-related problems, such as depression.
If you’re worried about a loved one’s alcohol behavior, or your own, visit www.HowDoYouScore.org to take the short online assessment or find a local screening facility or event through mentalhealthscreening.org.
Just remember: the screening is not designed to provide a diagnosis but to identify existing symptoms of alcohol abuse and whether or not further clinical assessment is required.