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IZA Discussion Paper No. 18069
August 2025
Antidepressant Treatment in Childhood

Mental illnesses emerge in childhood, making early intervention important. However, antidepressant treatment rates remain low following a controversial FDA warning. We provide some of the first evidence of impacts of antidepressant treatment in childhood on objectively measured mental health indicators and economic outcomes over time, and the first attempt to investigate under- vs overtreatment. Treatment improves Math scores in high school, post-compulsory education and adult employment and earnings, reducing welfare dependence. It reduces suicidality and hospital visits. Low-SES children benefit more. Policy simulations in a marginal treatment effects framework suggest under-treatment, highlighting that expanding treatment can reduce inequality.

Communications
Mark Fallak
mark.fallak@liser.lu
+352 585-855-526
World of Labour
Olga Nottmeyer
olga.nottmeyer@liser.lu
+352 585-855-501
Network Coordination
Christina Gathmann
christina.gathmann@liser.lu

The IZA@LISER Network is a global community of scholars dedicated to excellence in labor economics and related fields, now coordinated at the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) following its transition from Bonn.

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