October 2, 2000

Program Reaches Out to Caregivers of Patients with Cancer
The Health Center will offer a free, four-part program for people who are taking care of loved ones with cancer. The program will be held every Tuesday evening in October, starting on Oct. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Health Center. A light dinner will be served each week at 5:30 p.m.

Strength Through Caring will be led by Lee Tremback, a Health Center social worker, and Donna Pryor, a nurse. Each week, the program will look at some of the many issues facing caregivers of patients with cancer.

"Recent trends in health care have led to shorter hospital stays, and therefore, greater demands on caregivers - the family members, significant others and friends who provide care for patients with cancer," says Tremback. "Through Strength Through Caring, we will offer caregivers medical information about caring for cancer patients, and we'll help them identify valuable community resources like home health care, transportation, financial assistance, and more."

Tremback says the program will address the emotional, physical and financial stresses involved in providing care for a loved one in addition to juggling the demands of family life and a career: "Caregivers today handle a tremendous amount of responsibility. We think this program will be very beneficial."

Strength Through Caring is co-sponsored by Ortho Biotech and the Leukemia Society. For more information or to register, call (860) 679-2274.

Free Depression Screening Available at Health Center Oct. 5
More than 25 million Americans will suffer from depression in their lifetime, but only about half will seek help. Yet help is available. In an effort to raise awareness about the signs, symptoms and treatments of depression, the Health Center will participate in National Depression Screening Day on Thursday, Oct. 5. Health Center professionals will offer free depression screenings during the day, and a free presentation about depression and anxiety in the evening.

"Depression is a major health problem, caused by a wide range of biological, social and psychological factors," says Leighton Huey, chair of the Health Center's Department of Psychiatry. "Fortunately, most people with depression can be successfully treated."

The confidential depression screenings will be held at the 10 Talcott Notch Medical Office Building, 3rd Floor/East Entrance, on Farmington Avenue. This is across the street from the main Health Center campus in Farmington, past the former Loehman's Plaza. There will be three sessions: at 9 a.m.; 12 noon; and 4:30 p.m. Depression screenings typically last between 10 and 15 minutes. Participants take a written screening test, pick up educational brochures and meet individually with a clinician for a brief interview. Clinicians will listen, provide comfort and, when necessary, offer referrals for further evaluation.

"Depression and Anxiety: What's the Difference and What Does it Mean for Me?" is the name of a free lecture that will be presented at the Health Center later on Oct. 5 from 7 to 8 p.m. in Keller Auditorium (use the main hospital entrance). Nicholas DeMartinis, an assistant professor of psychiatry and an expert in social anxiety disorders, will be the featured speaker.

To register for a screening or to attend the lecture, request information or reach a health professional, call (800) 535-6232, or (860) 679-7692 locally.

Alumni Association Seeks Nominations for Awards
The Alumni Association is seeking applicants and nominations for various student, faculty and alumni awards and scholarships.

Alumni scholarships are available for deserving UConn full-time undergraduate students and/or UConn seniors accepted for full-time graduate study at the University. Selection of recipients is based on academics, financial need, excellence in the field of interest, and University or community-related extracurricular activities and/or employment. Applications are available now through Friday, Oct. 27, at Alumni House, the Financial Aid Office, and the Dean's Office, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Application forms are also on the web: http://www.alumni. uconn.edu. The deadline for completed applications is Friday, Nov. 3, at 4 p.m.

The Alumni Association also seeks applications for awards that recognize outstanding contributions and achievements of faculty members and alumni: the Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, Faculty Excellence in Research, University Service, Connecticut Alumni Service, Distinguished Alumni, Honorary Alumni and Outstanding Young Alumni Awards. Nomination forms are available at the Centennial Alumni House, by calling (888) UC-ALUM-1 or on the web at the Alumni Association website. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Dec. 1.

For more information, contact Kristi Napolitano at the Alumni Association at (860) 486-2240.