Abstract

According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), as of 2021, an estimated 5.0 million (20.1%) adolescents in the United States aged 12 to 17 have had at least one major depressive episode with approximately 3.7 million having significant impairment (defined as difficulty doing well at work or school, issues having a social life, problems doing chores at home, and/or struggles getting along with family). The prevalence of having a major depressive episode was nearly three times higher among adolescent females when compared to males and was highest among adolescents reporting two or more races.