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Research by the University of Queensland has shown school intervention programs could help radically reduce the amount of antidepressants being prescribed to adolescent boys.
School Counsellor Mark Taylor, who led the research, said that schools could help students deal with depression by teaching more conflict resolution and positive thinking, as well as encouraging more outdoor activities.
Dr Taylor said he was concerned not enough was being done to look at underlying conditions of adolescents' depression.
“Working in a school setting as a counsellor I became concerned about the numbers of students who were being prescribed antidepressants, without what I considered to be enough effort to find out what was going on in the lives of these students,” Dr Taylor said in a University of Queensland (UQ) news release.
“I wanted to substantiate that there are viable alternatives to antidepressants which can significantly reduce depressive symptoms.”
Dr Taylor examined the theory by increasing the three helpful on 25 students diagnosed with borderline depression. He was able to demonstrate that, by concentrating on increasing students' exposure to these curricula, the need for medical intervention was reduced.
“At one level, schools can provide regular physical activity for 20-30 minutes for all students, not just for those students who may choose physical education subjects,” he said.
“Students perceived to be at risk can be identified using screening measures, and targeted with programs such as an optimism building program, teaching about explanatory style, so that those who are overly pessimistic can learn to challenge their negative thinking.
“Third, students who appear to have social peer relationship difficulties can be assisted in developing social skills, one of which is learning to deal with conflict situations.”
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Img: Clinical depression. Credit: Julianne.hide/flickr
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