In primary care practices, 10-20% of patients are depressed. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies depression as the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide. Depression commonly occurs with chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as before or after surgery. When depression is recognized to co-occur with another condition, many of the steps an individual can take to address one of the two illnesses may actually help them manage both. Examples include:

• Getting regular exercise
• Getting enough sleep
• Following a proper nutrition plan
• Reducing or stopping the use of alcohol or drugs
• Building a social support network

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends routine depression screening for all adults and adolescents, ages 12-18. Screenings should be implemented with adequate systems in place to ensure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and appropriate follow-up.

Helpful Depression Screening Resources:

• Depression Screening in Children and Adolescents 
• Depression Screening in Adults 
• Screening for Depression in Adults US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement