# Evidence for various interventions to reduce depressive symptoms for children and adolescents: protocol of a global evidence and gap map

## TL;DR

This paper outlines a study to map evidence on interventions for reducing depression in children and adolescents, identifying gaps for future research.

## Contribution

The study introduces a global evidence and gap map protocol for school-based interventions targeting depression in youth.

## Key findings

- The EGM will identify and map RCTs on social and emotional learning programs for children and adolescents with depression.
- The map will highlight gaps in evidence to guide future research and inform decision-makers.
- The study uses the EPPI-Mapper tool to present results in a searchable, interactive format.

## Abstract

Children and adolescent depression conditions are responsible for high levels of disability burden and negatively influence academic participation and life-long outcomes while their interventions and outcomes remain controversial.

We conducted a comprehensive search in multiple databases of primary studies. The EPPI‐Mapper mapping tool was applied to present identified studies as framework-described results.

This is the protocol for an evidence and gap map (EGM). The objectives of this EGM are to identify and map all randomized controlled studies (RCTs) on universal, school-based social and emotional learning programs for children and adolescents with depressive symptoms or diagnoses of depression, and to identify existing gaps in the evidence for creating an interactive, searchable, and publicly accessible EGM. The map will provide insights for researchers and decision-makers, build on the evidence bases in this field, and identify key areas for future research.

Campbell Systematic Reviews cl2.20240091.