Mental health screening by self-report questionnaire among community adolescents in southern Brazil

Purpose: To evaluate the frequency of symptoms of depression, suicidal ideation, suicide behavior, and hopelessness among adolescents in southern Brazil. Methods: The Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ) was administered to a random sample of 126 community youngsters to screen for mental problems, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating scale for signs and symptoms of depression, an adapted version of DIS (Diagnostic Interview Schedule) for suicidal ideation and behavior, and the Beck's Hopelessness scale (adapted version). Social class, cognitive performance, age, and sex were also analyzed. Results: Levels of symptoms of depression, suicidal ideation and behavior, and hopelessness were higher among those who were SRQ positive (8%). Female youngsters presented higher SRQ scores and on the Montgomery-Asberg scale. Cognitive performance was similar among all groups. Differences were not found according to social classes. The 15-17-year-old individuals (middle stage) presented higher hopelessness than the other stages of adolescence. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that screening for mental health conditions by self-report questionnaires may be of value to identify groups at major risk for violent, self-destructive behavior among community adolescents. (C) Society for Adolescent Medicine, 1997.