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Children and adolescents between the ages of 6-18 diagnosed with depression particularly those who are attending public schools and living in low to middle income comminitites.

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Depression a disorder that involves multiple overlapping biological systems. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine have a response to chronic stress. Neuroinflammation, hippocampus and structural and functional brain changes in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala further contribute to the disorder.

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Serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine are what affect mood regulation, motivation and cognition in the brain.

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Prevalence/ Frequency

More recent in the United States data fond a 1-month prevalence of 10.4% and lifetime prevalence of 20.6% for DSM-5 Major Depression Disorder.

Demographic / Sungroup patterns

Women have an higher rates than men. Data shows in the United State in the past years adult females are at ~10.3% and males are ~6.2% (NIMH, 2023).

Chronic vs nonchronic

Chronic Major Depression Disorder is more likely in persons with lower socioeconomic status, lower education, history of divorce or spouse loss and comorbid psychiatric conditions such as generalized anxiety and dysthymia.

Rates of depression haven risen during adolescence to about 20% of teens experiencing depression before adulthood (NIMH, 2023).

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among ages 10-24, that is linked with untreated depression.

3.2% of children ages 3-17 in the United States are affected by depression (CDC, 2022).

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Treatment-Resistance/Incomplete response

1/3 to 1/2 of patients with severe depression fail to respond adequately to SSRIs and SNRIs.

Poor adherence/non-compliance with treatment.

Forgetfulness, misconceptions about depression or medications.

Relapse and recurrence risk.

many patients who achieve remission will experience future episodes.

Comorbidities and complicating medical/psychiatric conditions.

Patients with Major Depressive Disorder often have comorbid medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders that can worsen prognosis and complicate treatment

Limited access to mental health professionals.

Communication failures between schools, families, and healthcare provides.

Increased screen time and social media use contributing to anxiety, isolation, and poor self-esteem.

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Medications

SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are he first-line pharmacological treatment.

Rationale: SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the brain by inhibiting its reuptake, helping to alleviate depressive symptoms.

Fluoxetine (Prozac)

Escitalopram (Lexapro)

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Rationale: Affect multiple neurotransmitters but have higher side effect profiles.

Precautions

Careful monitoring is required during the first 4-8 weeks

Black box warning for increased suicidal ideation.

Screen for cardiac issues before starting TCAs; monitor blood pressure with SNRIs.

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Cognitive-Behavorial Therapy (CBT) and family therapy to strengthen coping skills and communication.

This strengthens the home environment as a source of support and early detection, especially important for teens who may not self-report symptoms.

Suicide prevention initiatives: safe social media practices, crisis hotlines, and restriction of access to unsafe means.

School based programs: counseling, early screening and peer supports groups.

Students who screen positive are referred to school counselors or partnered mental health services for follow-up care.

Provide teacher training to deliver lessons that promote self-awareness and relationship skills.

Access to affordable and culturally competent care.

Medicaid and insurance coverage to include therapy and psychiatric care.

Deploy mobile mental health clinics in rural and underserved urban areas.

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American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890423349

Brody, D. J., Pratt, L. A., & Hughes, J. P. (2018). Prevalence of depression among adults aged 20 and over: United States, 2013–2016 (NCHS Data Brief No. 303). National Center for Health Statistics.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Children’s Mental Health: Depression. https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/depression.html

Hasin, D. S., Sarvet, A. L., Meyers, J. L., Saha, T. D., Ruan, W. J., Stohl, M., & Grant, B. F. (2018). Epidemiology of adult DSM-5 major depressive disorder and its specifiers in the United States. JAMA Psychiatry, 75(4), 336–346. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.4602

Mental Health America. (2022). The state of mental health in America. https://www.mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2023). Major Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression

Wang, P. S., Aguilar-Gaxiola, S., Alonso, J., Angermeyer, M. C., Borges, G., Bromet, E. J., ... & Kessler, R. C. (2007). Worldwide use of mental health services for anxiety, mood, and substance disorders: Results from 17 countries in the WHO World Mental Health (WMH) Surveys. The Lancet, 370(9590), 841–850. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61414-7

Zuckerbrot, R. A., Cheung, A., Jensen, P. S., Stein, R. E., & Laraque, D. (2018). Guidelines for adolescent depression in primary care (GLAD-PC): Part I. Pediatrics, 141(3), e20174081. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2017-408