Adolescent Depression
Adolescent Depression
The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) recognizes that adolescent depression is a serious public health concern with increasing numbers of adolescents experiencing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or depression. Depressive episodes are associated with negative consequences such as academic difficulties, poor peer and family relationships, increased involvement in high-risk behaviors, self-injury and suicide.
ACPeds recommends that all adolescents be screened for depression and treated appropriately. ACPeds also encourages adolescents and families to develop habits that support mental health and decrease the likelihood of developing depression. These habits include improving family connections such as eating meals together, volunteering together, and participating in religious activities together. Keeping a gratitude journal and limiting social media use may help both in preventing and mitigating depressive symptoms. Remaining sexually abstinent also reduces the likelihood of developing depressive symptoms. Finally, habits that support physical health, such as decreasing poor quality foods and increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids in one’s diet, improving nighttime sleep, and exercising, especially spending time outdoors in nature, all help reduce tendencies for depression in adolescents.
Approved by the ACPeds Board of Directors (May 2025)
Approved by ACPeds Members (June 2025)
Corresponding ACPeds Referenced Paper:
Decreasing Risk Factors for Adolescent Depression (June 2018)
Other Pertinent ACPeds Referenced Papers:
Adolescent Brain: Under Construction (May 2022)
