Antidepressants in young people

The prevalence of mental health conditions and antidepressant use in teens and young adults is increasing. The QUM Alliance program aims to improve management of mental health, including appropriate antidepressant use for young people.

The program will equip health professionals with the latest evidence and best practice guidance through a variety of tools and resources including decision aids, clinical guides, and checklists designed for use at the point-of-care or dispensing. Pharmacists play a vital role in supporting young people prescribed antidepressants by offering clear, evidence‑based medication guidance, identifying and managing potential side effects, and creating a safe, approachable space where they feel heard, informed, and supported throughout their treatment journey.

Click on the links below for the available education content on antidepressants in young people, from the PSA:

Presented by Lily Pham and Aswin Ratheesh, watch the Live Webinar on the 17^th of February 2026 or after this date, watch the Recorded Webinar to learn more on the appropriate use of antidepressants in young people.

After reading this Australian Pharmacist article, Youth mental health in focus: young minds, meds and moods pharmacists should have a better understanding of the use of antidepressants in young people.

Other clinical tools and resource from the QUM Alliance:

Clinical tools and resources from the QUM Alliance

The QUM Alliance has developed the following clinical tools and resources to support pharmacists in their practice:

• Clinical Guide: Depression and anxiety in teens and young adults
  • A guide to evidence-based management of depression and anxiety, including non-pharmacological interventions and SSRI prescribing in young people.
• Decision Aid: Minding your mental wellbeing
  • Supporting clinician-patient discussions and encouraging shared decision-making and action-planning for the management of depression or anxiety.
• Conversation starters
  • Useful verbatims to support what are often challenging conversations with patients about stopping or reducing their antidepressant medicine dose.
• Antidepressant care plan
  • A shared decision-making tool between patient and health professional to support consumers thinking about tapering or stopping their antidepressant.
• Deprescribing clinical guide
  • Practical information on tapering options and distinguishing withdrawal symptoms from relapse to support the antidepressant deprescribing journey.