Screening Overview
Depression, sometimes called major depressive disorder, is a serious illness. Symptoms include:
- Feeling sad and hopeless.
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy.
- Withdrawing from others.
- Sleeping more or less than usual.
- Feeling really tired.
- Having trouble thinking or concentrating.
- Physical symptoms such as chronic pain (pain that doesn’t go away) or problems with digestion.
Depression is more than natural sadness, grief, or low energy. Symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for more than two weeks. Treatment can help you enjoy life again.
Who should be screened for depression?
Screening for depression can help find depression early. And early treatment may help people recover faster. Talk to your healthcare provider if you or your child has symptoms of depression.
What is depression screening?
Depression screening is a quick way for a healthcare provider to see if you have symptoms of depression. This screening is often part of a routine checkup. That's because your mental health is just as important as your physical health. And depression is very common. It affects people of all ages.
Your healthcare provider may ask you about such things as:
- Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or irritability.
- Any changes in your interest in spending time with others and doing everyday activities, your hunger or weight, your energy level, your concentration, and your sleep.
- Physical symptoms such as headache or stomachache.
- Any thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
What happens during screening?
You may be asked questions or asked to fill out a form about your depression symptoms. You and the healthcare provider will discuss your answers. The healthcare provider may ask you more questions to learn more about how you think, act, and feel.
What happens after screening?
If you have signs of depression, your healthcare provider will talk to you about your options for treatment.
Healthcare providers usually begin by treating depression with counselling. Often, both counselling and medicine are needed to work best. Many people don't get help because they think that they'll get over the depression on their own, or they worry what others will think of them if they get help. But people with depression may not get better unless they get treatment.
The cause of depression is not well understood. There may be many factors involved. But if you have depression, it's not your fault.
A very serious symptom of depression is thinking about death or suicide. If you or someone you care about talks about this or about feeling hopeless, get help right away. (See the resources below for where to get help.)
It's important to know that depression can be treated. Counselling, medicine, and self-care may help.
Depression is a serious mental health condition that can take the joy from a child's life. It's normal for a child to be moody or sad at times, such as after the death of a pet. But if these feelings last for more than 2 weeks, they may be a sign of depression.
What is depression screening in children and teens?
Depression screening is a quick way for a doctor to see if your child has symptoms of depression. This screening is often part of a routine checkup. That's because your child's mental health is just as important as their physical health.
What happens during screening?
Your teen or older child may be asked to fill out a form about their depression symptoms. It's important for your child to be honest about how they are feeling. The doctor and your child will talk about the answers. The doctor may ask you or your child more questions to learn more about how your child thinks, acts, and feels.
The doctor may want to know about things like:
- Grouchiness.
- Lost interest in activities that used to be fun.
- Changes in appetite.
- Weight gain or loss.
- Sleeping more or less than usual.
- Not wanting to spend time with friends or family, and more.
Teens and older children with depression may also have other conditions. These might be anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or an eating disorder. The doctor may ask questions about these things too.
What happens after your child's or teen's screening?
If your child has symptoms of depression, the doctor will talk to you about your options.
Doctors usually treat depression with counselling or medicines. Often, combining the two works best. Many people think that they'll get over the depression on their own. But people with depression may not get better unless they get treatment. It's a medical condition. And it isn't your child's fault.
It's important to know that depression can be treated. The first step toward feeling better is often just seeing that the condition exists.
A serious symptom of depression is thinking about death or suicide.
Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If your child talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away.
- Call or text Canada's suicide and crisis hotline at 988.
- Call Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 (4 p.m. to midnight ET).
- Kids or teens can call Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.
- Go to the Talk Suicide Canada website at https://talksuicide.ca or the Kids Help Phone website at https://kidshelpphone.ca for more information.
Consider saving these numbers in your phone.
Information about Depression Screening
Adaptation Date: 08/15/2023
Adapted By: Alberta Health Services
Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services
