The prevention of depression in children and adolescents

Depression is a common mental health problem, which is increasing in people born in the latter half of this century. It is also becoming more common t o experience a first episode of depression in adolescence, a factor that is a significant risk for recurrent and more severe bouts of the disorder. Th is paper makes a case for universal prevention programs and suggests that e fforts should begin in late childhood. In making this case, risk and protec tive factors for depression are reviewed, along with the efficacy research on early interventions to prevent depression in young people.