Depression: What Every PCP Should Know

Needs Statement

Primary Care Physicians currently demonstrate a significant gap in knowledge and clinical competence regarding the identification and management of mental health disorders in youth. This professional practice gap is primarily attributed to insufficient training and limited access to mental health resources. As a result, PCPs often serve as the first point of contact for families dealing with adolescent mental and behavioral health issues, yet they report lacking the necessary skills to effectively screen, assess, and treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and behavioral disorders. This series aims to enhance PCPs’ capabilities in recognizing and managing mental health conditions to improve outcomes for youth within their clinical practice.

Target Audience

Pediatricians and Primary Care Providers (Family Practitioners, NPs, PAs), RNs, LVNs, LPCs, Social Workers, and administrative leaders who provide care to youth ages 0 – 22.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the activity, the participants should be able to:

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of depression in children and adolescents.
  • Implement validated depression screening tools in primary care settings.
  • Differentiate between normal developmental mood variations and clinical depressive disorders requiring intervention.
  • Initiate evidence-based management strategies for pediatric depression including learning evidence-based medication recommendations in this age group.
  • Recall common statistics regarding depression in children and adolescents.
  • Outline suicide risk assessments and safety plans.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Participation
Course opens: 
10/01/2025
Course expires: 
10/31/2027
Rating: 
0

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Baylor College of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Participation
Please login or register to take this course.