One thing that keeps bothering me is how normal it has become for people to say they're just tired and leave it there, even when the signs point to something deeper. I talked about the gap because it is not small: only about one in three people with depression receive formal mental health care, which means about two in three do not. That is not a niche problem. That is everyday life for millions of people who are trying to function, trying to explain away what they feel, and trying to push through without support.

The PHQ-9 is not magic, and it is not a diagnosis. I said that clearly because I mean it: a screen is where the conversation starts, not where it ends. But when a simple, validated nine-question screener can help someone put words to what they are feeling, we should not act like access to that information is optional. Too many people leave routine appointments without anyone even opening the door to a real mental health conversation.

That is why I am calling on primary care clinics and health systems to offer clear PHQ-9 depression screening information during routine visits and patient intake, and to make sure patients know what to do next if a screen raises concerns. This can be as simple as providing the screener, explaining that it is confidential and not a diagnosis, and telling patients how to bring their results into an actual appointment. If we want earlier support, we have to stop making people figure everything out alone after they close the tab.

If you believe mental health education belongs in everyday health care, please sign this petition. If a short screening can help one more person move from silence to conversation, then our clinics should be helping make that first step easier, not harder.