Infectious Disease

Universal screening helps in detecting depression in high school students

05/11/2021

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Sekhar reported that he was funded by Pfizer through the AAP, the Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program, and an Eugene Washington Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Engagement Award. Please refer to the study for all relevant financial information from the other authors.

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Universal school-based screening has helped detect depression in high school students in Pennsylvania, according to a randomized clinical trial.

“Our study is being published at a time when more and more teenagers 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.

One study found that universal screening in schools can help identify and treat depression. Source: Adobe Stock

“From 2008 to 2018 the numbers increased by over 70%, from 8.3% to 14.4%,” said Sekhar. “During the pandemic, concerns about worsening depression were widespread among students. Suicides, which are often associated with mental illness, are the second leading cause of death in adolescents today. “

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

If students exhibited behavior related to major depressive disorder (MDD), they were referred to the Student Assistance Program, a team of school staff and mental health liaison officers. Of the 12,909 students included in the analysis, 1,226 met criteria for MDD symptoms.

The authors found that students in the universal screening group had a 5.9 times higher probability (95% CI, 5.1–6.9) of being identified with MDD symptoms and a 3.3 Times higher probability (95% CI, 2.5–4.4) than of being identified and confirmed with MDD symptoms that warrant follow-up, and 2.1 times higher chances (95% CI, 1st , 4-3,1) initiate recommended treatments or services for MDD compared to students in the targeted screening group.

“Looking at the results, let’s focus next on what school districts need at the national level to implement a universal screening program,” said Sekhar. “We know that administrative support and clear guidelines and procedures for screening and tracking will be critical. It is also important to emphasize to schools and families that the screening only identifies symptoms and does not diagnose depression or other mental illnesses. ”

References:

School-based screening increases the detection and treatment of depression. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/933849 ?. Published November 5, 2021. Accessed November 5, 2021.

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