Primary care management of child & adolescent depressive disorders.

This article outlines the importance of primary health care in addressing the public health challenge presented by pediatric depressive disorders. The current realities of depression management in primary care are discussed. The models emerging from intervention research and the barriers to their implementation in practice are then reviewed. Drawing on this background, recent new standards for primary care management of pediatric depressive disorders are discussed, along with resources that have been developed to support their achievement.