Good news from the science world: Abstaining from alcohol does not lead to better mental health. But we’ll get back to that in a moment. First a note about Oct. 8:

There are lots of ridiculous “special” days out there (National Kick Butt Day, anyone?), but Thursday is one that actually matters: National Depression Screening Day. If you and your loved ones don’t suffer from depression, then offer a toast tonight to good mental health.

If you suspect you may be depressed, then seek help. Mental Health America offers an online screening tool that’s free and confidential. Knowing the symptoms is the first step to getting better.

Worried that alcohol may be contributing to your depression? If you drink in excess, it just might be. But a new university study shows that abstaining from alcohol entirely is almost certainly not the answer. As reported by Time magazine, the study of 38,000 Norwegians found that “those who never drink are at significantly higher risk for not only depression but also anxiety disorders, compared with those who consume alcohol regularly.”

Researchers say there are multiple explanations, but one in particular caught our attention: Non-drinkers tend to have fewer close friends than those who imbibe regularly.

So the next time you’re out with your friends, buy them a round and thank them for being part of your support network. Maybe you’re not ready to eat, drink and be merry, but at least you can eat, drink and be not-depressed.