NA2500 - Adolescent Depression and Suicide: Understanding Risks, Prevention, and the Role of Technology (NA2500)
Author(s): Patsy Barnes, RN, BA
Pre-Approved for: ACM, CA BRN, CCM, CDMS, CE Broker Provider, CVE, CVRP, Delaware BON, MSCC, RNs
Credit Hours: 4
Course Format
This course is online. All course material is available online and is accessible immediately after purchase from your account homepage. Certificate of Completion is available immediately upon passing the exam.
Course Overview
The United States is facing a growing mental health crisis: adolescent depression and suicide. While rates were already on the rise prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, experts widely agree that the pandemic significantly accelerated this troubling trend. Importantly, adolescent depression is not simply adult depression in younger individuals - it presents with distinct risk factors and requires age-specific approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
Early intervention is critical, as depression during adolescence often continues into young adulthood. Emerging research highlights the complex role of social media, which may contribute to the rise in depressive symptoms among teens but also holds potential as a tool for timely outreach and support. When harnessed appropriately, digital platforms can offer familiar, accessible ways for adolescents to connect with mental health resources.
Course Objectives
- Identify common symptoms of depression in adolescents.
- Describe conventional and complementary treatments (CAM) for teen depression.
- List key risk factors that are unique to adolescent depression.
- Explain preventive strategies that parents and teens can implement.
- Discuss the importance of early screening in children and associated risk factors.
- Examine the current epidemic of teen suicide, including contributing factors.
- Analyze the role and controversy of social media in adolescent mental health.
- Explore emerging technologies designed to help prevent and manage adolescent depression.
Course Outline
- Introduction to Adolescent Depression
- Communication Strategies for Parents and Teens
- Importance of Screening in Children and Adolescents
- Suicide Prevention: Risk Factors and Protective Measures
- Emerging Technologies and Digital Tools for Prevention
- The Role of Social Media in Teen Mental Health: Risks and Opportunities