Screening for Major Depressive Disorder in Children and Adolescents

Screening for Major Depressive Disorder in Children and Adolescents

Suicide, Family History & Prevention

CDC information: Each year, more than 36,000 Americans take their own lives and about 465,000 people receive medical care for self-inflicted injuries. Several factors can put a person at risk for suicide including family history of suicide.
Suicide has many warning signs. For more information, visit American Association of Suicidology

Genetics of suicidal behavior in children and adolescents.
Gil Zalsman, NCBI bookshelf, 2012
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for major depressive disorder in adolescents (ages 12 to 18 years) when systems are in place to ensure accurate diagnosis, psychotherapy and followup (B recommendation). Consider parental history of depression when screening adolescents (2009)
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening adults for depression when depression care supports are in place to assure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up (B recommendation). Consider family history of depression when screening adults for depression (2009)