October is Depression Awareness Month, which makes it a great time to talk about something that affects more people than you might realize. Across the U.S., millions of adults live with depression every year, and right here in Fort Collins, it’s no different. According to the Colorado Health Institute, about 1 in 8 Coloradans report poor mental health, with depression being one of the most common struggles.
Even though awareness has grown, stigma still keeps too many people quiet. That’s why having a dedicated month matters: it’s a reminder that depression is real, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of.
Why October is Depression Awareness Month
You might be wondering, why October? Out of all the months in the year, why set this one aside to highlight depression?
The timing is both practical and symbolic. National organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) use October to shine a spotlight on mental Illness or depression, because it lands during a seasonal shift. As the days get shorter and the weather cools, a lot of people notice dips in mood or energy. For some, this can trigger depression or even seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
October also ties into World Mental Health Day on October 10, a global event focused on awareness and access to care. Connecting depression awareness with this day helps amplify the message and gives communities across the world, including here in Northern Colorado, a chance to start conversations and support each other.
For Fort Collins specifically, October feels like the right time. Students at CSU (Colorado State University) are deep into midterms, families are adjusting to new school routines, and the colder months ahead can bring feelings of isolation. Having Depression Awareness Month now is a good reminder to check in with yourself and with the people around you before winter sets in.
Breaking the Stigma Around Depression
Let’s face it, there are still a lot of misconceptions about depression. Some folks think it’s just “being sad” or something you should be able to “snap out of.” That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Depression is in fact a medical condition that impacts the brain, body, and emotions. It can affect how you sleep, eat, think, and connect with others. It doesn’t mean you’re weak, lazy, or failing.
This stigma can take different forms depending on where you’re at in life.
- College students might feel pressure to look like they’re thriving, even when they’re struggling.
- Parents may hide their symptoms because they feel like they need to keep it together for their family.
- Professionals might avoid seeking help because they worry about how it will look at work.
But the truth is, depression can affect anyone. Talking about it openly is one of the best ways to break down stigma. When people share their experiences and normalize therapy, it makes it easier for others to say, “I’ve been there too, and I need help.”
Where to Turn for Help in Fort Collins
The best part? You don’t have to face depression on your own. Fort Collins has a variety of resources for people who need support.
- Evolve Counseling Services — we provide therapy for depression, anxiety, and life transitions, offering personalized, evidence-based support with CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
- CSU Health Network — students can access counseling right on campus.
- SummitStone Health Partners — a nonprofit serving Northern Colorado with a large range of mental health services.
- Community groups and peer support — opportunities to connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
- Crisis resources — if you’re in immediate need, you can call or text 988, Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Reaching out can feel overwhelming at first, but getting connected with a therapist or support group is often the first step toward feeling better.
How CBT Can Help You Flip the Script on Negative Thoughts
One of the most effective ways to treat depression is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Think of CBT as a toolbox for your brain. It gives you practical skills to challenge the unhelpful thought patterns that often come with depression.
Depression tends to trap people in cognitive distortions, or mental habits that bend reality in a negative way.
- All-or-nothing thinking: “If I can’t do this perfectly, I’m a failure.”
- Catastrophizing: “If something goes wrong, my whole life is ruined.”
- Overgeneralizing: “I failed once, so I’ll fail every time.”
CBT teaches you to recognize those thoughts, question whether they’re really true, and replace them with something more realistic.
- Old thought: “I’ll never get better.”
- Reframed thought: “This is tough right now, but I’ve gotten through hard times before. I can take steps forward again.”
That shift may seem small, but over time, it changes the way you see yourself and your future. At Evolve Counseling Services, CBT is one of the approaches we use to help clients in Fort Collins navigate depression. Each session is tailored to you, so the tools you take away actually fit your life and challenges.
Why Local Connection Matters
It’s one thing to talk about depression at a national level, but it hits differently when you bring it down to the local community. In Fort Collins, that means recognizing a few things.
- The unique stressors we face here, from college pressures to rising housing costs to the social isolation some people feel in the winter months.
- The fact that nearly 30% of adults in Larimer County reported feeling depressed or hopeless in the past year (Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment).
- That therapy here doesn’t have to feel clinical or cold. It’s available from people who understand this community and its needs.
Having local support makes it easier to take that first step, and it helps people feel less alone in the process.
Not Sure If It’s Depression? Screeners Can Help You Figure It Out
Another important part of Depression Awareness Month is encouraging people to recognize symptoms early. A lot of people struggle silently because they aren’t sure if what they’re feeling “counts” as depression, or they dismiss it as stress, burnout, or just having a rough patch.
That’s where depression screening tools and self-assessment questionnaires come in. These are short, research-based checklists that help you reflect on your mood, energy, sleep, and daily functioning. While they are not a formal diagnosis, they can be a really helpful first step in recognizing when it might be time to seek professional support.
- PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9): A widely used self-assessment that screens for symptoms of depression.
- CES-D Scale (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale): A questionnaire designed to measure depressive symptoms in the general population.
- Online screening tools provided by organizations like NAMI or Mental Health America.
In Fort Collins, many local providers like Evolve Counseling Services can walk you through a screening as part of an intake session. These tools aren’t about labeling you. But they’re about helping you gain clarity and connecting you to the right type of support sooner rather than later.
If you’ve been feeling low, struggling to concentrate, losing interest in things you usually enjoy, or finding it hard to get through daily tasks, taking a quick self-assessment could give you insight into whether it’s time to reach out for help.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
If there’s one message to take away from Depression Awareness Month, it’s this: depression is treatable, and you don’t have to face it alone.
The stigma is slowly breaking down, but it takes continued conversations and community support. Whether you’re a student at CSU, a parent juggling family life, or someone navigating a big life change, there are resources here in Fort Collins that can help.
At Evolve Counseling Services, we’re here to walk that journey with you. Lindsey Phillips, LPC, and Ben Smith, LPC are well-trained in CBT, and they can help you either in their office or yours with telehealth.
Healing takes time, but with the right support, it does happen.
