U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation
The USPSTF recommends screening adults for depression in clinical practices that have systems in place to assure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up.

Rating: "B" Recommendation.

FACTS

• Many formal screening tools are available. Asking two simple questions ("Over the past 2 weeks, have you felt down, depressed, or hopeless?" and "Over the past 2 weeks, have you felt little interest or pleasure in doing things?") may be as effective as using longer instruments.
  
• Treatment may include antidepressants or therapeutic approaches (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy or brief psychosocial counseling) alone or in combination.
  
• The benefits of routinely screening children and adolescents for depression are not known.