Preventing Depression in young people. What does the evidence tell us and how can we use it to inform school-based mental health initiatives?

Abstract

The World Health Organization predicts that depression will be the second leading cause of disease and disability by 2020. Apart from having an impact on the quality of a young person's life, depression is also a major risk factor for suicide and is associated with long-term health consequences in adulthood, including suicide, depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol use, and poor social and vocational outcomes. This paper examines the current literature on depression prevention, drawing on evidence from a variety of disciplines including education, psychology, psychiatric epidemiology and public health, and presents a school-based intervention model that was developed in Australia by beyondblue: the national depression initiative. The beyondblue schools research initiative was designed to reduce levels of depressive symptoms in young people, promote emotional well-being in adolescence and increase the capacity of schools to design and evaluate interventions relevant to prevention of depression. © The Clifford Beers Foundation & University of Maryland.