According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, studies show that up to 9% of teenagers meet criteria for depression at any one time, with as many as 1 in 5 teenagers having a history of depression at some point during adolescence.  In primary care settings, point prevalence rates are likely higher, with rates up to 28%. Because adolescents face barriers to receive specialty mental health services, only a small percentage of depressed adolescents are treated by mental health professionals.  

As a result, primary care settings have become the de facto mental health clinics for this population, although most primary care clinicians feel inadequately trained, supported, or reimbursed for the management of depression. In today’s episode we sit down with Jenna Glover, PhD and clinical pharmacist Dr. Danielle Stutzman to talk through practical approaches to depression screening, anticipatory guidance and medication management.

Dr. Glover is the Director of Clinical Psychology training at Children’s Hospital Colorado and Assistant Professor of Child Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Stutzman is a Clinical Pharmacist at Children’s Hospital Colorado with a special interest in psychiatry medication.

 

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

• Severity Measure for Depression, child age 11-17
• PROMIS Measure