Abstract
This chapter discusses the epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, course, outcome, assessment, and treatment of depression and suicide-related behaviors in adolescents. Depression and suicide-related behaviors are a significant public health concern, with high levels of associated morbidity and mortality. It is estimated that 15–25 % of adolescents experience depression during their teenage years, while adolescent suicide deaths occur at a rate of 6 per 100,000. Suicide ideation, planning, and attempts occur at an alarmingly high rate among adolescents, with 14 % of adolescents reporting seriously considering suicide, 11 % reporting making a suicide plan, and 6 % reporting making a suicide attempt in the previous year. Both depression and suicide-related behaviors tend to be chronic problems for a significant minority of adolescents, with these issues often extending into adulthood. Treatment of adolescent depression and suicide-related behaviors generally involve pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.
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Sources of support: Funding was provided by a National Institute of Mental Health Career Development Award to Dr. Cheryl King (K24 MH077705).
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O’Mara, R.M., Lee, A., King, C.A. (2013). Depression and Suicide-Related Behaviors in Adolescence. In: O'Donohue, W., Benuto, L., Woodward Tolle, L. (eds) Handbook of Adolescent Health Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6633-8_33
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