School-Based Intervention Strategies for the Treatment of Depression in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Depression in children and adolescents is a major problem of which special service providers need to be aware. In recent years, a number of advances have been realized in the identification of depression in youngsters via self-report depression scales. There have also been advances in the development of cognitive-behavioral intervention strategies for the amelioration of depressive symptomatology in children and adolescents. This article describes components of treatment programs that have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment programs that have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of depressed youngsters. Specific components described include: self-monitoring, activity scheduling, cognitive restructuring, attribution retraining, self-evaluation training, self-reinforcement training, and relaxation training. Results of several group treatment studies that have utilized the components delineated are presented. Recommendations as well as cautions are put forth for special service providers in the use of these therapeutic techniques with depressed children and adolescents.