Epidemiological survey to identify depressive symptoms in school-going rural adolescents of Chandigarh, India

Background: The prevalence of mental health problems in the adolescent population is higher than in the general population. Aims and Objectives: To assess the mental health and to identify depressive symptoms in the adolescent population in the schools in northern India and to study the association of sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables with depressive symptoms and screening instrument scores. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 350 adolescents studying in the 5th standard to 12th standard in two schools in village Palsora, Chandigarh, India. The socioeconomic status was assessed using Modified Kuppuswamy Classification. Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMQ) was used to measure mental health and screen for depressive symptoms among rural adolescents. Sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables, mental health, and depressive symptoms among adolescents were evaluated. The participants were interviewed by trained mental health professionals. Results: 62% of the study participants had a high SMQ score on the assessment instrument which measured depressive feelings felt in the last 2 weeks. Female adolescents had significantly higher SMQ scores than male adolescents. The younger adolescents in the age group 10–14 years and overcrowding in the family were associated with significantly high SMQ scores. Conclusions: The survey concluded that there was a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in adolescents studying in rural schools in northern India. 62% of the study participants had a high SMQ score and were at risk for depression and predicted future depression in adolescents. The female and younger adolescents had significantly higher SMQ scores than male and older adolescents.