Effective Depression Assessment & Intervention

Course overview

This learning activity provides nurses with evidence-based skills for assessing and managing depression across all healthcare settings. The content covers recognizing clinical presentations, conducting suicide risk assessments using validated tools (PHQ-9, C-SSRS), monitoring pharmacological treatments, and implementing nursing interventions including behavioral activation and psychoeducation. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic communication, cultural competence, and recovery-oriented care principles that support patient safety and promote healing. Nurses will gain practical competencies for identifying at-risk patients, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and providing compassionate, holistic care to individuals experiencing depression.