title: South African adolescents' beliefs about depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explores the depression literacy in adolescents in South Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 2,050 students from disadvantaged secondary schools in Johannesburg region.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 90.9% reported depression as an illness, and 41.4% considered it a sign of weakness. Parents and siblings followed by friends and teachers were the preferred support options. The indicators of depression identified were socialisation pattern changes (24.6%), sad mood (23.6%), sleeping and eating pattern changes (18.3%), irritable behaviour (12.5%) and other health risk behaviours (9.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority considered depression an illness. An improvement in adolescent mental health literacy will increase access to help when needed.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Deakin University, Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia shilpazq@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shilpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Deakin University, Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berk
authors.affiliation: South African Depression Anxiety Support Group, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Lian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Taljard
authors.affiliation: South African Depression Anxiety Support Group, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Zane
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D012574:Schools; D012890:Sleep; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Depression; South Africa; adolescents; beliefs