The prevention of depression in children and adolescents

Abstract

Depression is a common mental health problem, which is increasing in people born in the latter half of this century. It is also becoming more common to experience a first episode of depression in adolescence, a factor that is a significant risk for recurrent and more severe bouts of the disorder. This paper makes a case for universal prevention programs and suggests that efforts should begin in late childhood. In making this case, risk and protective factors for depression are reviewed, along with the efficacy research on early interventions to prevent depression in young people.