State Estimates of Major Depressive Episode among Adolescents: 2013 and 2014

Excerpt

Background: Adolescents aged 12 to 17 are at a higher risk of depression than many other age groups. Because states have been at the center of efforts to address depression among adolescents, it is useful to monitor changes in the prevalence of major depressive episodes (MDEs) among this age group at the state level. Method: Combined 2013 and 2014 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs) state (including the District of Columbia) estimates of past year MDEs among adolescents aged 12 to 17 were analyzed. Additionally, the combined 2013–2014 data are compared with combined 2012–2013 data to examine changes over time. Results: Based on combined 2013 and 2014 NSDUH data, in nearly every state, at least 1 in 10 adolescents had an MDE in the past year. Findings in this report suggest that short-term trends in adolescent MDE have increased between 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 in 13 states and have remained the same in the remaining 37 states and the District of Columbia. Conclusion: Highlighting the prevalence of depression among adolescents in each state, as well as monitoring changes, may help policymakers continue to raise awareness about the mental health of adolescents.