Depression in Adolescents: Early Warning Signs and School-Based Interventions
Keywords:
Adolescent Depression, Early Warning Signs, Role of Schools, Screening Tools, School-Based InterventionsAbstract
Adolescent depression is a pressing global concern with serious consequences for emotional, cognitive, and social development. Earlywarning signs, including academic decline, social withdrawal, fatigue, and negative self-talk, are frequently overlooked due to stigma and atypical presentation. Schools, as daily points of contact with adolescents, are uniquely positioned to play a central role in early detection and intervention. This article clarifies diagnostic criteria, analyzes emotional, behavioral, physical, and cognitive indicators, and examines biological, psychological, and social risk factors contributing to adolescent depression. It evaluates the effectiveness of school-based interventions, including counseling services, peer support programs, and mental health literacy initiatives, while emphasizing the importance of systematic observation and the use of screening tools in educational contexts. Findings highlight that equipping educators with evidence-based strategies and practical tools enhances their capacity to identify and respond to depressive symptoms. Integrating these approaches into school systems provides an innovative framework for resilience-building, stigma reduction, and long-term well-being among adolescents in Thailand and beyond.
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