Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn is encouraging people to be screened for depression as part of National Depression Screening Day.

Dr. Manuel Lopez-Leon is among the thousands of professionals working to spread awareness about depression screenings available at hospitals, clinics and colleges nationwide.

"Roughly one to three people out of 20 suffer with depression," Lopez-Leon says. "It's very common and unfortunately there is so much stigma attached to it if people don't talk about it."

Symptoms and severity vary, but signs to look out for include changes in sleep or appetite, loss of interest in usual activities, hopelessness or guilty and recurring thoughts of death or suicide.

Professionals say the first step in getting help is reaching out to your doctor and starting a conversation.