
Remember that the assessment of risk, as well as recommendations for modifying risk are important components of the treatment for depression
Screening
The PHQ-9 is a universially accepted standard for assessing and monitoring symptoms of depression
The CES-DC is a bit more age-appropriate for younger children, has a few more questions around peer relational concerns, and sneaks in questions that are scored differently to ensure the kids thoughtfully answered the questions
While the C-SSRS is primarily intended to be administered by clinician's trained on its use, any person (nurse, MA, PCP, parent) will benefit from its question prompts for guiding a thorough convesation about suicide risk
Management
A safety plan should always be part of your plan to treat depression. Attached is a form from Intermountain Healthcare that teens can be encouraged to complete with you or with a parent
A document by UACAP attempting to address 5 of the most common questions clinicians ask around prescribing SSRIs for pediatric depression