A practical and effective primary care intervention for treating adolescent depression

摘要

Adolescent depression is a major pediatric public health concern. Approximately 11% of US adolescents experience an episode of depression by age 18 years. The World Health Organization ranks unipolar depression as the leading cause of "illness and dis ability" for 10- to 19-year-old youth worldwide, above common physical health problems like anemia and asthma. The effects of depression on overall health are widespread and pervasive because of 3 principal concerns: depression is associated with serious mental health problems (eg, suicidality), physical health problems (eg, obesity), and adolescent high-risk behaviors (eg, substance use). Yet best available data indicate that approximately 40% of adolescent depression goes untreated.