Depression & Mood Disorders
School counselors and allied school-based mental health professionals serve as an important resource for students facing depression and related mood disorders. Through Tier 1 prevention and Tier 2/3 mental health interventions, school counselors can support students in developing healthy coping skills and navigating new experiences.
CSCORE does not endorse any of the following research studies or resources. Instead, our goal is to present you with the latest research and interventions. It is up to you to decide if the study is reliable and valid.
Web Resources
Depression and Depressive Disorders​
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
The national nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and treating anxiety, depression, and related disorders. Provides information on depressive disorders, and how to cope with and treat symptoms.
​
Child Mind Institute Guide on Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
This guide outlines information on the new diagnosis, signs and symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and possible comorbid disorders.
​
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder Fact Sheet- Information about a new disorder definition in the DSM-5 that is designed to reduce over-diagnosis and over-treatment of bipolar disorder in children. This diagnosis is for children up to age 18 who present with persistent irritability and frequent episodes of extreme behavioral dyscontrol.
​
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Depression Information
Publication on depression and depressive disorders. This describes the symptoms, causes, and treatments of depression. Includes information on getting help and coping. A free PDF version can be printed to use as a resource with students and families.
​​​​​
Depression in Youth​
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
The Depression Resource Center provides information about depression in children and adolescents with links to additional information for parents and educators.
​
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Youth Depression Fact Sheet- Understanding depression in teenagers.
​​​
Bipolar Disorder​
NIMH Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Publication on bipolar disorder in youth, covering many topics such as causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for the disorder. A PDF version of this information can be downloaded and printed for free from either link (main version and easy-to-read version).
Journal Research Articles
MULTI-TIERED SYSTEMS OF SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF DEPRESSION INTERVENTIONS
Arora, P. G., Collins, T. A., Dart, E. H., Hernández, S., Fetterman, H., & Doll, B. (2019). Multi-tiered systems of support for school-based mental health: A systematic review of depression interventions. School Mental Health, 11(2), 240-264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-019-09314-4
​
NON-SUICIDAL SELF-INJURY (NSSI): WHAT SCHOOL COUNSELORS NEED TO KNOW TO SUPPORT THEIR STUDENTS
Barbour, L., Correa, N., & Sallee, E. (2021). Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI): What school counselors need to know to support their students. Journal of School Counseling, 19(32), n32.
​
​BIPOLAR DISORDER IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Birmaher, B. (2013). Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 18(3), 140-148. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12021
​
REDUCING DEPRESSION AMONG AT-RISK EARLY ADOLESCENTS: THREE-YEAR EFFECTS OF A FAMILY-CENTERED INTERVENTION EMBEDDED WITHIN SCHOOLS
Connell, A.M., & Dishion, T.J. (2008). Reducing depression among at-risk early adolescents: Three-year effects of a family-centered intervention embedded within schools. Journal of Family Psychology, 22(4), 574-585. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.22.3.574
​
​A HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR'S LEADERSHIP IN PROVIDING SCHOOL-WIDE SCREENINGS FOR DEPRESSION AND ENHANCING SUICIDE AWARENESS
Erickson, A., & Abel, N.R. (2013). A high school counselor’s leadership in providing school-wide screenings for depression and enhancing suicide awareness. Professional School Counseling, 16(5), 283-289.
​
A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF SCHOOL-BASED STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR ADOLESCENTS
Feiss, R., Dolinger, S. B., Merritt, M., Reiche, E., Martin, K., Yanes, J. A., Thomas C. M., & Pangelinan, M. (2019). A systematic review and meta-analysis of school-based stress, anxiety, and depression prevention programs for adolescents. Journal of youth and adolescence, 48(9), 1668-1685. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-019-01085-0
​
DEPRESSION AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE IN MIDDLE ADOLESCENT BOYS AND GIRLS
Frojd, S.A., Nissinen, E.S., Pelkonen, M.U.I., Marttunen, M.J., Koivisto, A.M., & Kaltiala-Heino, R. (2008). Depression and school performance in middle adolescent boys and girls. Journal of Adolescence, 31(4), 485-498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2007.08.006
​
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF MENTORS' EXPERIENCE WITH A CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TIER 2 MODULAR SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT
Horton, E., Simon, T., Schoonover, T., Powers, M., Baines, A., & Strait, G. (2025). A phenomenological investigation of mentors' experience with a culturally responsive tier 2 modular school-based mental health treatment. Counseling Scholarship & Practice in Educational Communities, 1(2), 28-52. https://doi.org/10.7275/cspec.2293
​
EVALUATION OF A GROUP COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL DEPRESSION PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ADOLESCENTS: A RANDOMIZED EFFECTIVENESS TRIAL
Gillham, J. E., Reivich, K. J., Brunwasser, S. M., Freres, D. R., Chajon, N. D., Kash-MacDonald, V. M., Chaplin, T. M., Abenavoli, R. M., Matlin, S. L., Gallop, R. J., & Seligman, M. E. (2012). Evaluation of a group cognitive-behavioral depression prevention program for young adolescents: A randomized effectiveness trial. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 41(5), 621-639. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2012.706517
​
​THE PREVENTION OF DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: A REVIEW
Gladstone, T.R.G., & Beardslee, W.R. (2009). The prevention of depression in children and adolescents: A review. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 54(4), 212-221.
​
EXPLORING THE USE OF ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY IN SCHOOL COUNSELING: USING AAT WITH ADOLESCENTS WHO HAVE INTERNALIZING DISORDERS
Jagodzinski, L. (2014). Exploring the use of animal assisted therapy in school counseling: Using AAT with adolescents who have internalizing disorders. Counselor Education Capstones, 16.
​
THE IMPACT OF A BRIEF BULLYING BYSTANDER INTERVENTION ON DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS
Midgett, A., & Doumas, D. M. (2019). The impact of a brief bullying bystander intervention on depressive symptoms. Journal of Counseling & Development, 97(3), 270-280. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12267
​
INTERPERSONAL COUNSELING IN THE TREATMENT OF ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED EFFECTIVENESS AND FEASIBILITY STUDY IN SCHOOL HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES
Parhiala, P., Ranta, K., Gergov, V., Kontunen, J., Law, R., La Greca, A. M., Torppa, M., & Marttunen, M. (2020). Interpersonal counseling in the treatment of adolescent depression: a randomized controlled effectiveness and feasibility study in school health and welfare services. School mental health, 12(2), 265-283.
​
PREVENTING DEPRESSION IN FINAL YEAR SECONDARY STUDENTS: SCHOOL-BASED RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Perry, Y., Werner-Seidler, A., Calear, A., Mackinnon, A., King, C., Scott, J., Merry, S., Fleming, T., Stasiak, K., Christensen, H., & Batterham, P. J. (2017). Preventing depression in final year secondary students: school-based randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(11), e8241.
​
​REDUCING DEPRESSION IN 9-10 YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN LOW SES SCHOOLS: A LONGITUDINAL UNIVERSAL RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Rooney, R., Hassan, S., Kane, R., Roberts, C. M., & Nesa, M. (2013). Reducing depression in 9–10 year old children in low SES schools: A longitudinal universal randomized controlled trial. Behaviour research and therapy, 51(12), 845-854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2013.09.005
​
​DISRUPTIVE MOOD DYSREGULATION DISORDER: A NEW DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH TO CHRONIC IRRITABILITY IN YOUTH
Roy, A.K., Lopes, V., & Klein, R.G. (2014). Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: A new diagnostic approach to chronic irritability in youth. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 171(9), 918-924.
​
DISRUPTIVE MOOD DYSREGULATION DISORDER AND CHRONIC IRRITABILITY IN YOUTH AT FAMILIAL RISK FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER
Sparks, G.M., Axelson, D.A., Yu, H., Ha, W., Ballester, J., Diler, R.S., Goldstein, B., Goldstein, T., Hickey, M.B., Ladouceur, C.D., Monk, K., Sakolsky, D., & Birmaher, B. (2014). Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder and chronic irritability in youth at familial risk for bipolar disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(4), 408-416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2013.12.026
​
CLASSROOM BASED COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY IN REDUCING SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION IN HIGH RISK ADOLESCENTS: PRAGMATIC CLUSTER RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Stallard, P., Sayal, K., Phillips, R., Taylor, J. A., Spears, M., Anderson, R., Araya, R., Lewis, G., Millings, A., & Montgomery, A. A. (2012). Classroom based cognitive behavioural therapy in reducing symptoms of depression in high risk adolescents: Pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial. Bmj, 345. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e6058
​
EFFECTS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: a META-ANALYSIS
Weisz, J.R., McCart, C.A., & Valeri, S.M. (2006). Effects of psychotherapy for depression in children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 132, 132-149.
Full Article
​​​
THE EFFECT OF POSITIVE MINDFULNESS TRAINING PROGRAM ON STRESS RESPONSE AND DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IN MALE ADOLESCENTS WITH DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS
Abstract and Journal Access​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Evidence-Based Interventions
Tier 1, Grades K-12
A curriculum designed to cover major topics related to youth health, such as social and emotional health, nutrition, substance use, and HIV prevention.
​
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools
Tier 3, Grades K-12
A 10-session school based intervention designed to reduce PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Involves different steps like group sessions, individual sessions, and sessions with parents.
Books & Book Chapters
Parents & Educators
Wiseman, R. (2016). Queen bees and wannabes: Helping your daughter survive cliques, gossip, boys, and the new realities of girl world. Harmony.
​
Mondimore, F. M., & Kelly, P. (2015). Adolescent depression: A guide for parents. JHU Press.
​
Linehan, M.M. (2014). DBT skills training manual (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
​
Faber, A., & Mazlish, E. (2012). How to talk so kids will listen & listen so kids will talk. Simon and Schuster.
​
Merrell, K. W. (2008). Helping students overcome depression and anxiety: A practical guide (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
​
Seligman, M. E. (2007). The optimistic child: A proven program to safeguard children against depression and build lifelong resilience (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin.
​
Barnard, M. U. (2003). Helping your depressed child: A step-by-step guide for parents. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.
​
Ingersoll, B. D., & Goldstein, S. (2001). Lonely, sad, and angry: A parent's guide to depression in children and adolescents Plantation,FL: Specialty Press.
​
Youth
Keller, T. (2018). The science of breakable things. Random House Books for Young Readers.
​
Jones, L. (2015). The princess and the fog: A story for children with depression. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
​
Peters, A. F., & Peters, P. (2015). The Color Thief: A Family's Story of Depression. Albert Whitman & Company.
​
Cook, J. (2012). Blueloon. National Center for Youth Issues.
​
Irwin, C., Evans, D. L., & Andrews, L. W. (2007). Monochrome days: A firsthand account of one teenager's experience with depression. Oxford University Press, USA.
​
Scholarship
​
Burns, D. D. (2020). Feeling great: The revolutionary new treatment for depression and anxiety. Eau Claire, WI: PESI Publishing & Media.
Ingersoll, B. D., & Goldstein, S. (2001). Lonely, sad, and angry: A parent's guide to depression in children and adolescents. Plantation, FL: Specialty Press.
​
Fassler, D. F., & Dumas, L. S. (1997). "Help me, I'm sad": Recognizing, treating, and preventing childhood and adolescent depression. New York, NY: Penguin Books.​