Prevention of depression in young people needs to adopt a twofold approach, prevention of illness based on risk factors and mental health promotion focusing on social and emotional wellbeing. This article describes the supportive policy context and resource base in Australia and the public health conceptual framework that exists. For young people, within this approach, action involves awareness raising and prevention as well as a focus on strengths, resilience and capacity building of organizations to work in ways that support young people. Universal and targeted preventive interventions are described including MindMatters a national mental health promotion program for secondary schools and innovative internet based strategies. These demonstrate that the prevention of depression in young people requires complex, multi-level strategies.
Keywords: Prevention of Depression; Young People; Risk Factors; Mental Health.