Major Depressive Disorder

≥5 symptoms during the same two week period that are a change from previous functioning; depressed mood and/or loss of interest/pleasure must be present; exclude symptoms clearly attributable to another medical condition

Depressed Mood

Most of the day, nearly every day; may be subjective (e.g. feels sad, empty, hopeless) or observed by others (e.g. appears tearful); in children and adolescents, can be irritable mood

Loss of interest/pleasure

Markedly diminished interest/pleasure in all (or almost all) activities most of the day, nearly every day; may be subjective or observed by others

Weight loss or gain

Significant weight loss (without dieting) or gain (change of >5% body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day; in children, may be failure to gain weight as expected

Insomnia or hypersomnia

Nearly every day

Psychomotor Agitation or Retardation

Nearly every day and observable by others (not merely subjectively restless or slow)

Fatigue

Or loss of energy, nearly every day

Feeling worthless or excessive/inappropriate guilt

Nearly every day; guilt may be delusional; not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick

Decreased Concentration

Nearly every day; may be indecisiveness; may be subjective or observed by others

Thoughts of Death/Suicide

Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without specific plan, or suicide attempt, or a specific plan for suicide

Additional Required Criteria:

Must have all 4, plus ≥5 depressive symptoms above

1. Symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

2. Episode not attributable to physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition

3. Episode not better explained by schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or

other specified and unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders

4. No history of manic or hypomanic episodes

-The exclusion does not apply if all manic-like or hypomanic-like episodes are substance- induced or are attributable to

physiological effects of another medical condition

Interventions:

Peer Support Groups

Support groups can be formed on campus or found in the community.

Individual Counseling

Schedule an appointment with a trained counselor at a local provider.

Find more information

Campus-wide Initiatives

The following interventions are intended to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention in schools with high levels of reported depression and suicidal ideation in LGBTQ+ youth.

Mental Health Awareness Campaign

Raise mental health awareness among students. Classroom posters, lesson plans, and activities can be used to demonstrate the importance of mental health awareness and coping strategies.

Peer Support Groups

Facilitate LGBTQ+ and mental health support groups to increase engagement and tolerance on campus. Emphasize confidentiality and engage students with activities to promote comfortability. Open space for sharing; do not force participation.

Suicide Prevention Plan

Create a suicide prevention plan, including designated contacts and safety/supervision protocols. Expand student awareness of school contacts they can reach out to when in crisis.

Counseling Services Outreach

Reach out to students through classroom check-ins, morning or online announcements, one-on-one meetings, etc. Make meeting times available and known, especially during or following a crisis.

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