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Journal ArticleDOI

Prevention of Depression in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults: The Role of Teachers and Parents

01 Sep 2021-Vol. 2, Iss: 3, pp 353-364
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a trustful relationship with the adolescent and his/her classmates, to reduce social and self-stigma and inform about mental illness, and recommended cognitive-behavioral interventions that are individual, group, or computer-based.
Abstract: Major depressive disorder (MDD) and other affective disorders may surreptitiously arise in children and adolescents during their school period and impair their social and educational functioning. Besides the social and personal burden, which are increased during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the onset of depression may compromise the future of the growing person with chronicity and recurrence. In this context, educators’ training is essential to detect early the onset of a depressive disorder, to spare later consequences through the timely establishment of adequate treatment. The educational staff should receive adequate training to be able to work closely with healthcare providers and parents, thus directing the young person with an affective disorder to the right psychological and pharmacological treatment provider, i.e., a specialized psychologist or psychiatrist. The first approach should be to establish a trustful relationship with the adolescent and his/her classmates, to reduce social and self-stigma and inform about mental illness. If symptoms do not subside and the suffering child or adolescent fails to reintegrate within his/her school environment, cognitive–behavioral interventions are recommended that are individual, group, or computer-based. When needed, these should be implemented with individualized pharmacotherapy.

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Citations
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22 Oct 2013
TL;DR: In this article, a switch to an alternate SSRI is recommended before trials of other antidepressants, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy, for treatment-resistant depression in children and adolescents.
Abstract: Depression is a relatively common diagnosis in children and adolescents, and is associated with significant morbidity and suicidality in this population. Evidence-based treatment of the acute illness is imperative to try to prevent the development of treatment-resistant depression or other complications. In situations where response to acute treatment is inadequate, clinicians should first consider factors that may influence outcome, such as psychiatric or medical comorbidities, psychosocial stressors, and treatment noncompliance. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line treatment for depression in children and adolescents. For treatment-resistant depression, a switch to an alternate SSRI is recommended before trials of other antidepressants. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy, may improve treatment response. More research is needed examining medication augmentation strategies for treatment-resistant depression in children and adolescents.

37 citations

01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: In this paper, the effectiveness of a program involving substantial commitment from local mental health services was evaluated in a large urban primary care setting, where participants completed the PC-SAD screener and WHOQOL-Bref.
Abstract: Objective: There is considerable uncertainty about whether depression screening programs in primary care may improve outcomes and what specific features of such programs may contribute to success. We tested the effectiveness of a program involving substantial commitment from local mental health services. Methods: Prospective, randomised, patient- and evaluator-masked, parallel-group, controlled study. Participants were recruited in several urban primary care practices where they completed the PC-SAD screener and WHOQOL-Bref. Those who screened positive and did not report suicidal ideation (N¼115) were randomised to an intervention group (communication of the result and offer of psychiatric eva-luation and treatment free of charge; N¼56) or a control group (no feedback on test result for 3 months; N¼59). After 3 months, 100 patients agreed to a follow-up telephone interview including the admin-istration of the PC-SAD5 and WHOQOL-Bref. Results: Depression severity and quality of life improved significantly in both groups. Intent-to-treat analysis showed no effect of the intervention. As only 37% of patients randomised to the intervention group actually contacted the study outpatient clinic, we performed a per-protocol analysis to determine whether the intervention, if delivered as planned, had been effective. This analysis revealed a significant positive effect of the intervention on severity of depressive symptoms, and on response and remission rate. Complier average causal effect analysis yielded similar results. Conclusion: Due to the relatively small sample size, our findings should be regarded as preliminary and have limited generalizability. They suggest that there are considerable barriers on the part of many patients to the implementation of depression screening programs in primary care. While such programs can be effective, they should be designed based on the understanding of patients' perspectives.

12 citations

01 Jan 2017
TL;DR: The authors explored whether school climate was associated with students' depression literacy and mental health stigma beliefs and found that positive school climate is associated with greater odds of depression literacy, and endorsement of fewer stigmatizing beliefs among students.
Abstract: BACKGROUND Although school climate is linked with youth educational, socioemotional, behavioral, and health outcomes, there has been limited research on the association between school climate and mental health education efforts. We explored whether school climate was associated with students' depression literacy and mental health stigma beliefs. METHODS Data were combined from 2 studies: the Maryland Safe Supportive Schools Project and a randomized controlled trial of the Adolescent Depression Awareness Program. Five high schools participated in both studies, allowing examination of depression literacy and stigma measures from 500 9th and 10th graders. Multilevel models examined the relationship between school-level school climate characteristics and student-level depression literacy and mental health stigma scores. RESULTS Overall school climate was positively associated with depression literacy (odds ratio [OR] = 2.78, p < .001) and negatively associated with stigma (Est. = −3.822, p = .001). Subscales of engagement (OR = 5.30, p < .001) and environment were positively associated with depression literacy (OR = 2.01, p < .001) and negatively associated with stigma (Est. = −6.610, p < .001), (Est. = −2.742, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Positive school climate was associated with greater odds of depression literacy and endorsement of fewer stigmatizing beliefs among students. Our findings raise awareness regarding aspects of the school environment that may facilitate or inhibit students' recognition of depression and subsequent treatment-seeking.

4 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , a positive correlation was found between daily deaths due to COVID-19 and the number of calls to the anti-violence number, while daily hospitalizations and admissions in ICU negatively correlated with calls of women reporting at the national anti violence number.
Abstract: Abstract Purpose We hypothesized that during the 2020 pandemic there has been a significant change along the year, depending on the SARS-CoV-2 impact on the population and varying difficulties implied in the norms that were adopted to embank the pandemic. Our objectives were to verify how the phenomenon of domestic violence has evolved and changed along 2020, and to clarify if these changes were correlated to the evolution of the pandemic. Methods Though the analysis of the number of daily calls from women to the national anti-violence number and the parameters related to COVID-19 pandemic (daily cases, deaths, hospitalizations, and admissions in ICU), a positive correlation was found between daily deaths due to COVID-19 and the number of calls to the anti-violence number, while daily hospitalizations and admissions in ICU negatively correlated with calls of women reporting at the national anti-violence number. Results The number of daily calls from women reporting at the national anti-violence number positively correlated with the number of quarantined people shifted of 30 days from the beginning of isolation at home, as well. We also analyzed temporal trends of daily calls from women to the national anti-violence number from 25th of February 2020 to 31st of December 2020. Conclusions These findings demonstrate the importance of an active anti-violence telephone service and may help in developing a strategy to improve anti-violence facilities, especially during crises, such as specific sources of psychological support for women who have survived violence episodes.

3 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the benefits associated with the mindfulness-exercise-nutrition (MEN) technique are discussed and discussed from a nutritional point of view, focusing on the nutritional effect of a plant-based diet such as the Mediterranean diet (MD) which has a high tryptophan content which can increase serotonin (the “feel good” hormone) levels.
Abstract: Over the past two years, the world’s population has been tested by the COVID-19 health emergency. This has changed population habits worldwide by encouraging a sedentary lifestyle and overnutrition. Isolation and reduction of social life, for most of the population, was mandatory but it quickly became a new lifestyle. Nowadays, we are encountering the consequences with an increase in nutritional associated disorders and conditions that cause illnesses in the general population. These disorders include diet excesses that lead to obesity and diet deficiencies and malnutrition which could rapidly lead to death. These eating disorders are very complex to manage because they become mental disorders which can negatively impact physical or mental health. This work will disucss the benefits associated with the mindfulness–exercise–nutrition (MEN) technique. From a nutritional point of view it will focus on the nutritional effect of a plant-based diet, such as the Mediterranean diet (MD) which has a high tryptophan content which can increase serotonin (the “feel good” hormone) levels. The MEN technique takes a multidisciplinary approach and aims to integrate healthy behaviors into clinical practice using healthy eating, active living, and mindfulness. This method includes controlled physical movements, stretching techniques such as yoga, and aerobic exercise to achieve optimal mental and physical health. This literature review, carried out using the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, aims to investigate the latest research on this topic. This study may be useful for healthcare professionals and clinicians and may help patients to be more self-aware, encouraging them to lead a healthier lifestyle, make thoughtful choices, and ameliorate their mental health. The final aim of this study is to promote physiological homeostasis and well-being.

1 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
08 Apr 1977-Science
TL;DR: A biopsychosocial model is proposed that provides a blueprint for research, a framework for teaching, and a design for action in the real world of health care.
Abstract: The dominant model of disease today is biomedical, and it leaves no room within tis framework for the social, psychological, and behavioral dimensions of illness. A biopsychosocial model is proposed that provides a blueprint for research, a framework for teaching, and a design for action in the real world of health care.

8,359 citations


"Prevention of Depression in Childre..." refers background in this paper

  • ...The “biopsychosocial” health model [1] has partially replaced and completed the “biomedical” paradigm, proposing a continuum between personal experiences, interpersonal relationships, and psychological/biological–somatic alterations....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI

5,173 citations


"Prevention of Depression in Childre..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Early concerns were expressed before [12] and soon after [13] the publication of the DSM-5 in 2013....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Children and adolescents are probably more likely to experience high rates of depression and probably anxiety during and after enforced isolation ends, and this may increase as enforced isolation continues.
Abstract: Objective Disease containment of COVID-19 has necessitated widespread social isolation. We aimed to establish what is known about how loneliness and disease containment measures impact on the mental health in children and adolescents. Method For this rapid review, we searched MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Web of Science for articles published between January 1, 1946, and March 29, 2020. Of the articles, 20% were double screened using predefined criteria, and 20% of data was double extracted for quality assurance. Results A total of 83 articles (80 studies) met inclusion criteria. Of these, 63 studies reported on the impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health of previously healthy children and adolescents (n = 51,576; mean age 15.3 years). In all, 61 studies were observational, 18 were longitudinal, and 43 were cross-sectional studies assessing self-reported loneliness in healthy children and adolescents. One of these studies was a retrospective investigation after a pandemic. Two studies evaluated interventions. Studies had a high risk of bias, although longitudinal studies were of better methodological quality. Social isolation and loneliness increased the risk of depression, and possibly anxiety at the time at which loneliness was measured and between 0.25 and 9 years later. Duration of loneliness was more strongly correlated with mental health symptoms than intensity of loneliness. Conclusion Children and adolescents are probably more likely to experience high rates of depression and most likely anxiety during and after enforced isolation ends. This may increase as enforced isolation continues. Clinical services should offer preventive support and early intervention where possible and be prepared for an increase in mental health problems.

1,385 citations


"Prevention of Depression in Childre..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Within this framework, there is a need for prevention with possible early intervention aimed at curbing mental health problems that will arise [45]....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI

1,147 citations


"Prevention of Depression in Childre..." refers background in this paper

  • ...However, the newly proposed Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) [14] never caught up with investigators, despite being backed by the National Institute of Mental Health, and the DSM-5 remains a system with which investigators communicate and speak the same language....

    [...]

Trending Questions (2)
How can edutainment be used to attend and prevent adolescent depression?

The provided paper does not mention the use of edutainment to attend and prevent adolescent depression.

How can we prevent adult depression FOR STUDENT ?

Teachers should receive training to identify students at risk, provide support, and break down social stigma, preventing the establishment of depressive disorders in adulthood.