You Are Here: This topic is in the process of being updated.
Please go to the Update in Progress section to see the latest
documents available. This topic page summarizes the U.S.
Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on
screening for depression in children and adolescents. Release
Date: March 2009 - The USPSTF recommends screening for major
depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents (ages 12 to 18 years)
when systems are in place to ensure accurate diagnosis,
psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal), and
followup. Grade: B recommendation. - The USPSTF concludes that
the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of
benefits and harms of screening for MDD in children (ages 7 to
11 years). Grade: I statement. Update in Progress In an effort
to make the USPSTF recommendations clearer and its processes
more transparent, the Task Force is sharing drafts of its draft
Research Plans, Evidence Reports, and Recommendation Statements
for public comment. As a result, the final R