Less than half of American adolescents experiencing major depressive episodes (MDE) received mental health services in 2022, with treatment rates even lower among marginalized groups, according to new research published in PLOS Mental Health.
The study, led by Su Chen Tan and colleagues at the University of Tennessee, highlights a growing concern as rates of adolescent depression have risen since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Depression during adolescence is linked to more severe long-term educational, health, and social consequences compared with cases that emerge later in life, underscoring the need for early detection and intervention.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 12,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 who participated in the 2022 U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Among respondents, 19.2% (2,283 teens) met diagnostic criteria for major depressive episodes.
Of those, only 47.5% reported receiving any form of treatment. Just 39.1% accessed care from a specialist clinician, 30.5% received services through schools, and 25% were prescribed medication.
The findings also revealed sharp disparities in access to care. Adolescents in rural areas were significantly less likely to receive specialist treatment compared to those in urban areas. Girls were more likely than boys to receive treatment, while Black adolescents were far less likely to access care compared to non-Hispanic White peers.
The authors emphasize that addressing these treatment gaps is critical to reducing long-term harms and ensuring equitable access to mental health care for young people.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Mild Depression: Treatment and Self-Care
Nurturing Gut Microbiota Shows Promise Against Depression, Anxiety
Highly Sensitive Individuals Face Elevated Risk of Anxiety, Depression
