New study to take on depression in young people

A major new study will investigate global risk factors for depression by analysing data about family and social environment, stressful experiences, brain images, and biological data, in 10-24 year olds from the UK, Brazil, Nigeria and Nepal.

The MQ-funded IDEA (Identifying Depression in Early Adolescence) project will be led by Dr Valeria Mondelli from King’s College London, and will build a global evidence-based model that could transform the way we understand and diagnose depression – one of the most common and debilitating mental health conditions in young people.

Utilising data from culturally diverse settings from high to low-middle income countries, the project will bring a new understanding of the different factors leading to the development of depression in adolescence.

By combining these insights they are aiming to develop a screening tool for NHS and other professionals to use in diverse settings to deliver effective care sooner.

This project is a central part of MQ’s young people’s research programme, Brighter Futures. MQ Chief Executive, Cynthia Joyce said: ‘Together, these projects are designed to transform our understanding of how mental illness develops, how we can identify which young people are most at risk, and how we can create badly needed better treatments for young people worldwide.’