Universal screening helps identify depression among high schoolers

Universal school-based screening helped identify depression among high school students in Pennsylvania, according to a randomized clinical trial, which found that participating students were twice as likely to begin treatment.

“Our study is publishing at a time when more adolescents are reporting symptoms of depression,” Deepa Sekhar, MD, MSc, a pediatrician at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and executive director of Penn State PRO Wellness, said in a press release.

“From 2008 to 2018, the numbers increased by over 70%, from 8.3% to 14.4%,” Sekhar said. “During the pandemic, concerns about increasing student depression have been widespread. Suicides, which are often associated with mental health conditions, are now the second-leading cause of adolescent death.”

The researchers worked with 14 public high schools in Pennsylvania. They selected either groups of 9th and 11th graders or groups of 10th and 12th graders to receive universal screening, with the other grade levels assigned to targeted screening.

If students exhibited behaviors for major depressive disorder (MDD), they were referred to the Student Assistance Program, a team of school staff and liaisons from mental health agencies. Among 12,909 students included in the analysis, 1,226 met the criteria for MDD symptoms.

The authors found that students in the universal screening group had 5.9 times higher odds (95% CI, 5.1-6.9) of being identified with MDD symptoms, 3.3 times higher odds (95% CI, 2.5-4.4) of being identified and confirmed as having MDD symptoms warranting follow-up and 2.1 times higher odds (95% CI, 1.4-3.1) of initiating recommended treatment or services for MDD compared with students in the targeted screening group.

“Looking at the results, we want to focus next on what school districts, nationally, need to implement a universal screening program,” Sekhar said. “We know support from administrators will be key, along with clear policies and procedures for screening and follow-up. It is also important to emphasize to schools and families that screening simply identifies symptoms and does not diagnose depression or any other mental health conditions.”

References:

School-based screening increases identification of, treatment for depression. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/933849?. Published Nov. 5, 2021. Accessed Nov. 5, 2021.