Screening for Depression in Adults
From the USPSTF and the JAMA Network. Learn more.
In 2016, the United States Preventive Services Task Force updated its recommendations for screening for depression in adults.
- The Task Force recommends screening for depression in the general adult population, including pregnant and postpartum women.
- The recommendation gets a B rating, meaning there is high certainty that the net benefit is moderate, or moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate to substantial.
- Screening should be implemented with adequate systems in place to ensure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and appropriate follow-up.
Related Articles
Recommendation Statement
Screening for Depression in Adults – USPSTF Recommendation Statement
Clinical Summary
Glossary: USPSTF Grades and Level of Certainty
Primary Care Screening for and Treatment of Depression in Pregnant and Postpartum Women: Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force
Patient Page: Screening for Depression
JAMA Psychiatry
US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement on Screening for Depression in Adults: Not Good Enough
JAMA Internal Medicine
Screening for Depression—A Tale of Two Questions
JAMA Neurology
Implementing Recommendations for Depression Screening of Adults: How Can Neurology Contribute to the Dialogue?
Useful Resources
USPSTF Recommendations on Screening for Depression in Children and Adolescents
USPSTF Recommendation Statement on Suicide Risk in Adolescents, Adults, and Older Adults
Community Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation on Depression Interventions
Two Item Depression Screening Instrument (Free PDF)
Patient Health Questionnaire (Screening Instrument - free PDF download)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices
Recent JAMA Network Depression Articles
Efficacy of Bright Light Treatment, Fluoxetine, and the Combination in Patients With Nonseasonal Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
JAMA Psychiatry | Original Investigation, January 2016
A Telephone-Based Program to Provide Symptom Monitoring Alone vs Symptom Monitoring Plus Care Management for Late-Life Depression and Anxiety: A Randomized Clinical Trial
JAMA Psychiatry | Original Investigation, December 2015
Effect of a Cognitive-Behavioral Prevention Program on Depression 6 Years After Implementation Among At-Risk Adolescents: A Randomized Clinical Trial
JAMA Psychiatry | Original Investigation, November 2015
Shared Decision Making for Antidepressants in Primary Care: A Cluster Randomized Trial
JAMA Internal Medicine | Original Investigation, November 2015
The Role of Decision Aids in Depression Care
JAMA Internal Medicine | Invited Commentary, November 2015
Baseline Depression Severity as Moderator of Depression Outcomes Between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Pharmacotherapy: An Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis
JAMA Psychiatry | Original Investigation, November 2015
Association Between Placebo-Activated Neural Systems and Antidepressant Responses: Neurochemistry of Placebo Effects in Major Depression
JAMA Psychiatry | Original Investigation, November 2015
Antidepressant Response Trajectories and Associated Clinical Prognostic Factors Among Older Adults
JAMA Psychiatry | Original Investigation, October 2015
Adjusting Antidepressant Quality Measures for Race and Ethnicity
JAMA Psychiatry | Research Letter, October 2015
Exercise for Depression
JAMA | JAMA Clinical Evidence Synopsis, June 18, 2014
Onset Timing, Thoughts of Self-harm, and Diagnoses in Postpartum Women With Screen-Positive Depression Findings
JAMA Psychiatry | Original Investigation, May 2013
Older Adults With Severe, Treatment-Resistant Depression
JAMA | Care of the Aging Patient: From Evidence to Action, September 5, 2012