Recent research shows that depression is the most prevalent mental health issues in the US. The report by Gladstone, Beardslee, and O’Connor (2011) showed that in the US, more than 16 percent of the population have experienced or will experience a major depressive episode. Surprisingly, depression is highly treatable among all mental disorders, but it remains a devastating chronic illness, with over 80 percent of the people that report a depressive episode suffering another in fifteen years or less (Gladstone, Beardslee & O’Connor, 2011). Depression is equally common and destructive among the young, noting that it is reported by 2 percent of children, and 4 to 7 percent of adolescents. According to Gladstone, Beardslee, and O’Connor (2011), the incidence of major depressive episodes among adolescents aged between fifteen and eighteen is 14 percent, and an estimated 20 percent of adolescents suffer an attack by the time they reach eighteen. Astonishingly, despite that effective treatment for the adolescent population have been studied before, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), antidepressant prescription, and psychotherapy, past studies show that the treatments work for only half of the cases (Gladstone, Beardslee & O’Connor, 2011). Similar to adult depression, adolescent depression remains recurring and persistent. The review of three articles covering the treatment of adolescent depression will provide important highlights for understanding the problem, and offer recommendations on the use of research to address it.
Article 1: School-based depression and anxiety prevention programs for young people
The article by Werner-Seidler et al. (2017) reports the review of published randomized-controlled treatment processes offered to prevent or address depression and anxiety among children and adolescents within the school environment. The major points made in the article’s introduction section include that depression is a devastating condition reported among 20 percent of children and adolescent before they reach eighteen years (Werner-Seidler et al., 2017). The researchers also highlight that the high frequency of the condition makes it a significant burden for society and a leading cause of ill health. Adolescent depression is related to alcohol and drug abuse, poor educational outcomes, physical health challenges, and also suicide risks. The preventive programs for the disorder prevent its recurrence in at least 22 percent of the cases reported, and therefore, using the school system to deliver treatment can address a significant portion of the problem. Unfortunately, the area is affected by poor research on the problem, which has kept the problem a significant source of issues in society. During the review of evidence-based studies, the variables studied included the types of respondents, the interventions used, the outcomes of the treatments offered, the length of follow-up time, and the risks of bias during the empirical studies (Werner-Seidler et al., 2017).
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The researchers used the systematic review research method to appraise published studies on the prevention and treatment of adolescent depression. The results of the survey include that school-based treatments for adolescent depression and anxiety are useful and therefore, should be continued, even for the adolescents already suffering from the disorders. The researchers added that the significant challenge for the treatment is reaching adolescents but also note that with technology and youth engagement, the outcomes can be improved. The results of the study are crucial to the prevention of depression in adolescents, considering that it provides evidence of the positive effects of prevention and treatments used such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy among others (Werner-Seidler et al., 2017). Further, the study highlighted the challenges of reaching the group and the execution of programs, which is crucial to current and future research.
Article 2: Depression and anxiety prevention based on cognitive behavioral therapy for at-risk adolescents
The research report discusses the systematic review of the treatment methods used for the prevention of depression using the CBT method, as reported in empirical studies. The major points highlighted in the introduction (background) section include that anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental health issues for adolescents, affecting 3 to 20 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively (Rasing et al., 2017). The leading cause of the mental disorders is the non-performance of psychosocial relationships due to adverse experiences such as dropping out of school and poor educational performance. The section added that different prevention programs have been fashioned and adopted, including CBT, which works for different groups, for example, those at-risk. Further, the CBT program has proved impactful in prevention and treatment, making it a useful program among the others, which evidences the importance of exploring the best ways to use the program in school and community-based prevention and treatments. The researchers studied various variables, including the prevention program used (CBT), the adolescent population, the program execution model, and the duration of patient follow-up (Rasing et al., 2017).
The authors employed the systematic review method of research, which entails the appraisal of published evidence-based studies on the treatment of depression and anxiety among adolescents. The findings (results) made following the survey include that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment program for adolescents, considering that it reduces the risks for and manifestations of depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, the effects of the treatment are lost after about a year, and therefore, the delivery of the program should be altered in some ways. Due to the weaknesses of the program, the researchers indicated the need to explore other treatments, which could borrow a lot from CBT’s practical delivery. The findings of the study are essential for the current research on the prevention and treatment of depression in society, especially among adolescents. The value that the study will offer includes that it presents and discusses empirical evidence on the effectiveness of CBT in prevention and treatment of depression (Rasing et al., 2017). Further, the study recommended trying other treatment programs but emphasized the importance of drawing practical highlights from the use of CBT.
Article 3: A pilot randomized controlled trial of the e-couch anxiety and worry program in schools
The research article reports the empirical study of the effectiveness of the web-based e-couch treatment program in the school environment. The crucial points noted in the introduction section include that anxiety disorders, and depression is the most prevalent mental health problem among children and adolescents, affecting an estimated 8 to 27 percent of the group (Calear et al., 2016). Due to the high frequency of depression and anxiety disorders, it has become a significant area of focus, which prompted the use of web-based prevention and treatment programs, due to the convenience and ease of use. The researchers explored different variables, including the usefulness of the program, follow-u duration, and anxiety and depression symptoms.
The authors used the randomized controlled trial method of research, which helped to estimate the effectiveness of the treatment program among the target sample. The findings of the research include that the web-based anxiety and depression prevention programs is effective, despite that the small sample of study likely affected the results. The study also showed that to improve the outcomes of the program, teachers and other adults can play a crucial facilitative role, which will reduce the symptoms of mental health issues (Calear et al., 2016). The findings made during the study are vital to the research, noting that they shed light on the effectiveness of web-based treatment programs for depression and anxiety, which can be delivered flexibly. Further, the study indicated the critical role played by adults, which highlights the importance of adult engagement during prevention or treatment.
Application
The review of the three research studies on the programs and methods of prevention and treatment for adolescent depression and anxiety provided crucial highlights that should aid the process of addressing the problem. As an example, Gladstone, Beardslee and O’Connor (2011) discussed the effectiveness of CBT among other treatment programs delivered at school; Rasing et al. (2017) reported the efficacy of CBT, and Calear et al. (2016) explored the value that web-based treatments offer. Further, Calear et al. (2016) emphasized the critical role that adults play in the execution of the preventive and treatment programs. Based on the review of the research reported in the three articles, which provides empirical evidence of the treatment programs for adolescent depression and anxiety, further research can guide the formulation and execution of treatment. As an example, based on the understanding of the limited effectiveness of CBT, the study recommends that program executors ensure more frequent follow-up, which can address the problem entirely (Gladstone, Beardslee & O’Connor, 2011; Rasing et al., 2017). In practice, the research review indicated the critical role that adults play in the programs, and also the benefits that can result from the combination of more than one treatment programs. Further, as the review indicated, technology can be leveraged to improve the reach and effectiveness of prevention and treatment programs (Werner-Seidler et al., 2017). Conclusively, the review provided crucial information and best practices for the delivery of preventive programs.
References
Calear, A., Christensen, H., Brewer, J., Mackinnon, A., & Griffiths, K. (2016). A pilot randomized controlled trial of the e-couch anxiety and worry program in schools. Internet Interventions , 6, 1-5. https://goo.gl/qn4Gqs
Gladstone, T., Beardslee, W., & O’Connor, E. (2011). The Prevention of Adolescent Depression. Psychiatr Clin North Am , 34(1): 35-52. Retrieved from: https://goo.gl/vG1Sdu
Rasing, S., Creemers, D., Janssens, J., & Scholte, R. (2017). Depression and Anxiety Prevention Based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for At-Risk Adolescents: A Meta- Analytic Review. Front Psychol , 8(1066), 1-17. Retrieved from: https://goo.gl/cTVm6i
Werner-Seidler, A., Perry, Y., Calear, A., Newby, J., & Christense, H. (2017). School-based depression and anxiety prevention programs for young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review , 51, 30-47. Retrieved from: https://goo.gl/JxRd46
