This review article provides guidance for non-specialists on the assessment and management of adolescent unipolar depression and considers emerging evidence on prevention strategies. The review covers the following topics:

• Why is it important to identify adolescent depression?
• Which adolescents are most at risk of developing a depressive disorder?
• How is adolescent depression diagnosed?
• Which treatments work for adolescent depression?
• Suicidal risk
• Can we prevent or delay onset of depression in adolescents?