ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Depression is a common diagnosis among adolescents. Routine screening for depression is recommended, yet standardization in screening and management is lacking. A care gap exists due to long wait times for referrals to counseling and other specialized care. Use of a written action plan demonstrated positive effects as an initial management tactic of elevated screening scores. METHOD: A take-home action plan was provided to adolescents with elevated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores. Approximately 30 days after initiation, participants completed a post-intervention survey and a re-administration of the PHQ-9. RESULTS: Pre-intervention and post-intervention PHQ-9 scores were compared, showing a statistically significant decrease in PHQ-9 score (p = .008), with a median decrease of 4.5 points. Additionally, 92% of participants were somewhat likely or very likely to endorse the use of the action plan to a peer or friend. DISCUSSION: Using a written action plan is an effective strategy to bridge gaps in the care of adolescents with elevated depression screening scores.
