Elderly depression focus of Friday workshop

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Sept. 26, 2002
A workshop focusing on depression among the elderly is set for Friday at the Alliance Health Center in Meridian.
The workshop will cover assessment, diagnosis and treatment for depression. Continuing education credits may be earned for mental health and mental retardation therapists, administrators, social workers, activity professionals and marriage and family therapists attending the workshop.
Presenters include Dr. Paul Dean, doctor of philosophy in clinical psychology. A University of Mississippi faculty member, Dean works for the North Mississippi Regional Center.
He will lead the first three sessions of the workshop covering diagnostic features that may inhibit accurate diagnosis of depression. He also will cover treatment options and assessment of a clinical case description.
Diane Cockerham, director of social services at Beverly Healthcare-Broadmoor in Meridian will take part in a session on musical therapy. Cockerham is also a field placement instructor for the Department of Social Work at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus.
Melissa Nash, community education coordinator for the Crossroads Center for Emotional Care at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth, and Michelle Frazier, income development project manager for the American Cancer Society, are also scheduled speakers.
Nash and Frazier will cover wellness, stress management and relaxation techniques for the elderly.
The Alliance Health Center is at 5000 Highway 39 North in Meridian.
Registration for the workshop will begin at 8 a.m. The workshop begins at 8:30 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 4 p.m. A one-hour lunch break is scheduled for 11:45 a.m.
The workshop is sponsored by the Mental Health Association of Lauderdale County, Alliance Health Center, Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus Social Work Program Students and the United Way of East Mississippi.