ABSTRACT
In an effort to decrease the suicide rate in adolescents, many interventions have focused on school-based suicide prevention programs. Alternatively, depression education in schools might be effective in decreasing the morbidity, mortality, and stigma associated with adolescent depression. The Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP) developed a 3-hour curriculum to teach high school students about the illness of depression. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the ADAP curriculum in improving high school students' knowledge about depression. From 2001 to 2005, 3,538 students were surveyed on their knowledge about depression before and after exposure to the ADAP curriculum. The number of students scoring 80% or higher on the assessment tool more than tripled from pretest to posttest (701 to 2,180), suggesting the effectiveness of the ADAP curriculum. Further study and replication are required to determine if improved knowledge translates into increased treatment-seeking behavior.
Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder , Health Education/organization & administration , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , School Health Services/organization & administration , Suicide Prevention , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Male , Program EvaluationABSTRACT
Adolescent depression and suicide are major public health concerns. Best practices for suicide prevention and education in high schools are not well understood. The Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP) was developed to address depression education as an effective means towards decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with adolescent depression. Adolescents' baseline knowledge about depression was assessed to enhance curriculum development. The survey was administered to 5,645 high school students between 1999 and 2003. Results indicated that students had a cursory knowledge of depression facts but had gaps in knowledge about treatment and symptom identification.
