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Design and monitor of a school prevention-intervention program on adolescent depression

Yi-Hua Chen, PhD1, Su-Yu You, PhD2, Yu-Hua Liu, MS2, Yen-Wen Hsiao, MS2, and Kuo-Cherh Huang, DrPH, MBA3. (1) Department of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu-hsing St., Taipei, Taiwan, 886-2-2736-1661, ext.2664, yichen@tmu.edu.tw, (2) Center for General Education, Taipei Medical University, No.250, Wu-Xing St., Taipei, Taiwan, (3) School of Health Care Administration, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-hsing St., Taipei, Taiwan

Depression represents a common type of psychopathology experienced during adolescence, with lifetime prevalence estimates ranging from 3.6% to 24%. This study thus proposes a prevention-intervention program in schools for adolescent depression. With the strategies and involvement of decreased exposure of risk factors, early diagnosis, and appropriate prevention and intervention programs, it is hoped that the depression in adolescence may be ameliorated. In this program, the Survey on Adolescent Depression (SAD), aimed to investigate the current picture of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation on adolescence in Taiwan and to assess risk factors related to their occurrence, is firstly administered to a total of 1,260 students in Metropolitan Taipei area. Based upon the investigation, for youth who do not achieve a diagnosis of depressive symptoms, a primary prevention program of health education is designed and carried out to a total of 386 students, with controls recruiting 773 youth remained. For those who achieve a diagnosis of more seriously depressive symptoms, a secondary prevention program of a four-month randomized clinical trial is performed, including a total of 37 youth in the cognitive-behavioral therapy, psycho-drama therapy, and control groups. Moreover, this study builds up a website particularly for adolescent depression, with the interactive design of the two-stage online depression screening, online health education, online Q & A mail box, and online discussion board. This prevention-intervention program would then be monitored and evaluated for the feasibility and effectiveness. The design of this program ultimately aims to promote the mental health of the adolescence.

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to

    Keywords: Prevention, Adolescent Health

    Presenting author's disclosure statement:
    I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

    Planning: Multiple Policy Approaches to Public Health Programs

    The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA