DEPRESSION AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN NORTHERN-IRELAND

This paper examines the nature and distribution of self-reported depre ssion among a sample of 887 secondary school students. The findings in dicate that 12% of the total sample scored higher than 17 on the depre ssion scale, the cut-off point used for designating a ''case.'' Approx imately 4% of adolescents reported that they wanted to kill themselves . Significant sex or school form associations were not found, except i n form four where a higher proportion of females than males (16% vs. 7 %) scored above 17. This would tend to suggest that the sex difference in depression found consistently with adults may begin to emerge in m iddle adolescence. The findings are discussed with reference to previo us research on the mental health of young people living in Northern Ir eland.