Journal of Depression and Anxiety
Open Access

Abstract

Adolescent Depression Prevention Programs-A Review

Meghna Singhal, Manjula M and John Vijay Sagar K

In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on prevention of depression among adolescents. This review delineates and evaluates major depression prevention programs for adolescents developed and tested world-wide, according to the three major types, viz. universal, selective, and indicated. Overall, targeted prevention with selective and indicated programs seem to give better results with higher effect sizes than a universal approach. School-based cognitive-behavioural approach interventions have been found to significantly reduce depressive symptoms among adolescents, with some evidence that the intervention provides long-lasting effects. However, further research to ameliorate the understanding of the development and maintenance of depression is essential in order also to improve the effects of prevention and intervention