Medically Proven:

Whats My M3? The Catchy New Question Everyone Should Be Asking One Number That Measures Your Risk of Most Common Mental Health Disorders
Online or App: 3-Minute Checklist to Take Contol of Overall Health
(Bethesda, MD) Its the catchy new three-word question aimed at revolutionizing health care. Whats My M3? The answer to that question can mean an earlier diagnosis and more accurate treatment of mental health issues before they become serious problems. The just-launched M3 is a groundbreaking three-minute screening test that can be taken anonymously online (www.whatsmym3.com) or even through mobile device app (available on iTunes). Its the first test that accurately rates a persons risk of any of four major mental health conditions: depression, anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One in five Americans has at least one of these diagnosable and treatable illnesses. M3 Mental Health Screen for Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar & PTSD Measures the Severity of Your Mental Health Risk Monitors Your Progress Over Time

M3 is the only test that introduces a numerical system to rate the overall risk of mental health disorders. Thirty-three (33) is the key number. Complete the easy-to-fill out, three-minute questionnaire, and a score is assigned. A score of 33 or greater suggests a significant risk of a mood or anxiety disorder. Four subscores help people identify the condition(s) they could be suffering from, so they can get the help they need. M3 also screens for suicide risk and substance abuse, warning users who might be at risk for these conditions and urging that follow-up steps be taken. Of critical importance, the screen provides valuable results that can be shared with a persons doctor or mental health professional, so they can effectively focus on proper treatment. Users can retake the test at regular intervals, so they and their doctors can chart progress. Of significant note: the M-3 score allows primary care professionals, who dont have formal psychiatric training but treat the majority of mental illness cases, to quickly and efficiently focus on earlier detection and better treatment. With M-3: Mood and anxiety disorders are better pinpointed Misdiagnoses are reduced

Quality of life improves for millions of mentally and physically ill patients.

You know your other important health numbers - your cholesterol levels, your heart rate and blood pressure, says Larry Culpepper, MD, MPH, Professor of Family Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. Now for the first time, we finally have a number that gauges mental health. By knowing our M3 score and then getting the right treatment, we have more success managing all our numbers, because mental health affects everything. Better care also means lower patient out-of-pocket costs and increased health care participation. As much as 70% of primary care visits might benefit from attention to underlying mental issues and more individuals seek mental health treatment in primary care settings than in specialty mental health clinics. According to the National Institute of Mental Healths most recent estimate, the annual economic impact of untreated mood disorders is more than $70 billion, while studies have shown it is cost effective to integrate behavioral health care with primary care. Mental illnesses can be managed successfully, and people do recover, says Pamela S. Hyde, head of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Mental illness is not an isolated public health problem. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity often co-exist with mental illness and treatment of the mental illness can reduce the effects of these disorders. A new study suggests 55% of Americans will suffer from a mental disorder during their lifetimes. Only about 60% of people with mental illness get treatment each year. Of that, only 38% receive proper care. One in five people diagnosed with major depression may actually have bipolar disorder or also have an anxiety disorder that complicates treatment. Some of these misdiagnoses and the ensuring mistreatment may result in suicide, a particular problem among active and retired military. People with chronic medical problems such as heart disease or diabetes are at much greater risk and may appear resistant to treatment if they have unrecognized depression or anxiety. Thats why knowing the answer to Whats my M3? is so vital. More patients will receive proper care, earlier. Asking Whats My M3? is perfect for people who: are taking medication, but feel theyre not progressing or may be branded with treatment resistant depression. want to know if their mental health is limiting their ability to achieve proper physical health and happiness. are returning military personnel or their family members who want to understand and help with difficulties post-deployment. want to improve work performance and lower their health costs.

The M3 Checklist was validated in a study performed at the University of North Carolina and published in the March 2010 issue of the Annals of Family Medicine. The study was based on the responses of 647 patients at the University of North Carolina Family Practice Medicine Clinic. Since the publication of the study in March 2010, the Beta version M3 Checklist has been taken by people in over 120 countries and in all 50 states. About M3 Information: M3s evidence-based checklist was developed by a team of highly regarded mental health experts and clinicians for their subject matter expertise and their groundbreaking work in mood disorders and academic medicine. The M3 Collaborative is made up of Robert M. Post, MD, head of the Bipolar Collaborative Network; Bernard M. Snyder, MD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University and a cognitive behavioral therapist; Larry Culpepper, MD, Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at Boston University; Gerald Hurowitz, MD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and a clinical psychopharmacologist and Michael L. Byer, an information management specialist and President of M3 Information. For questions and media interviews, please contact Marc Silverstein at marc@onthemarcmedia.com or at (202) 716-9123.