Thirteenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

Depression among adolescents in the United States is a significant issue that affects millions of youth and has devastating sequelae, including poor academic performance, an increased risk of substance abuse, and suicidality. Since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents have been at increased risk of developing depressive symptoms, imposing significant adverse effects on psychological development. A literature review reveals a dearth of reliable and validated instruments to measure awareness and knowledge related to depression in adolescents. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project’s purpose is to increase the literacy of depression among elementary school-based professionals by closing the knowledge gap among school-based professionals related to adolescent depression. Available knowledge and evidence-based research are discussed in this study to enhance the positive outcomes of school-based professionals’ increased knowledge of adolescent depression. The methods for implementing this quality improvement project include delivering an educational session using an Adolescent Depression Knowledge Questionnaire (ADKQ) pre- and post-test survey and conducting a two-month retention assessment. A business intelligence tool is utilized for data analysis using descriptive statistics, allowing for calculated metrics and visualization. As adolescents spend most of their time in school, implementing a depression literacy initiative to raise awareness regarding depressive symptoms in youth may enable early recognition, thus aiding in the prevention of developing associated adulthood disorders. If successful, the implications for practice in surrounding schools may lead to substantial organizational system transformation for at-risk youth.