TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Bhalotra, Sonia R.
AU  - Daysal, N. Meltem
AU  - Trandafir, Mircea
        TI  - Antidepressant Treatment in Childhood
        PY  - 2025/Aug/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 18069
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/publications/dp18069
        AB  - 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.
        KW  - physician leniency
KW  - Denmark
KW  - human capital
KW  - test scores
KW  - education
KW  - mental health
KW  - antidepressants
KW  - marginal treatment effects
        ER  -