Depression Clinical Pathway — Outpatient Behavioral Health and Primary Care
Depression Clinical Pathway — Outpatient Behavioral Health and Primary Care
Child/Adolescent with Concern for Depression
This pathway should be used to guide the screening, assessment, and treatment of children/adolescents at risk for a diagnosis of depression (Major Depressive Disorder or Other Specified Depressive Disorder) in an outpatient setting (behavioral health, specialty care, primary care).
Consider Depression Screening
Children/adolescents presenting for/with:
- Routine well-child visit, age ≥ 12
- Acute or chronic stressors (trauma, discrimination, major life change, bullying)
- Physical abuse, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or neglect
- Behavioral/emotional concerns, or screening positive on a depression questionnaire like the PHQ-9
- Any history of a psychiatric diagnosis (e.g., ADHD, anxiety, substance use)
- A decline in overall clinical/behavioral/emotional functioning
- Recent suicidal ideation or behavior
- Family history of depression