[Anxiety and depression in students. A study in Dresden middle schools and high schools]

Recent investigations by the WHO have shown once again the high prevalence of mental disorders in European countries. Mainly in the field of mental disorders considerable deficits exist particularly with regard to primary prevention.

Although there is no doubt as to the importance of primary prevention within the scope of Public Health, there are deficits in this branch in Germany. This is unfortunate, considering that the proof of successful interventions is evidence for causal risk models. The current investigation is part of a study focusing upon the development, implementation and evaluation of a prevention program for anxiety and depression in adolescents and young adults.

Presented here are the prevalence rates of anxiety disorders and depression ascertained in the first cross-sectional study carried out in secondary schools and high schools. A total of 627 high school students and 485 secondary school students in grades nine and ten in Dresden were examined.