Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of the pilot project was to identify adolescents at risk for depression, and link them to mental health services for evaluation and early intervention. Design and Methods: The project included a convenience sample of patients between the ages of 12 to 17 years who presented to the pediatric emergency department (ED) in a South Florida community hospital for non-psychiatric related complaints. Exclusions for the project included developmental delay, nonEnglish speaking, or refusing to participate. Results: Twenty-seven patients were seen in the pediatric ED between the ages of 12 to 17 years for non-psychiatric-related complaints. Of the 16 patients screened for the project, three patients screened positive and were subsequently referred for mental health evaluation. Conclusions: The pilot project identified nearly 20% of adolescents at risk for depression who presented in the pediatric ED with no prior history of mental health issues. The project demonstrates the potential benefits of opportunistic screening in the adolescent population. Practice Implications: Adolescents presenting to the ED for non-psychiatricrelated complaints should be screened for depression. Linking adolescents who screen positive to appropriate mental health care can improve outcomes through early intervention and treatment.