Nursing Care Plan for Depression
Also searched as: major depressive disorder
🎓 Educational example. Adapt to your patient and have your instructor review it. Not medical advice.
Persistent low mood and loss of interest affecting function and safety. Nursing care prioritizes safety, therapeutic rapport, and support.
Build your own Depression care plan in minutes → the free Care Plan Builder walks you from assessment to evaluation and exports a clean PDF.
Assessment
- Subjective: sadness, hopelessness, sleep/appetite change, possible thoughts of self-harm
- Objective: flat affect, poor eye contact, psychomotor slowing, poor self-care
Nursing diagnoses
As evidenced by: expressed hopelessness, mood symptoms
Goals / expected outcomes
- The patient will remain safe and free of self-harm throughout the care period.
- The patient will identify one support and one coping strategy before discharge.
Nursing interventions & rationale
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Assess suicide risk directly and provide a safe environment; follow protocol. | Direct assessment and safety measures prevent harm. |
| Establish a trusting, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship. | Rapport supports engagement and disclosure. |
| Administer and monitor antidepressants; note delayed onset and side effects. | Medication is effective but takes weeks; monitoring supports adherence and safety. |
| Encourage structure, activity, and connection to support/therapy. | Behavioral activation and support improve mood over time. |
Evaluation
- Patient remains safe
- Engages with staff and supports
- Verbalizes a coping strategy
Stop rewriting care plans by hand
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Build a care plan free See Student plan — $6.99/monthNursing diagnoses used in Depression
Depression care plan: FAQ
What is the nursing diagnosis for Depression?
Common nursing diagnoses include: Risk for self-directed harm related to feelings of hopelessness. Choose the one your patient's assessment data supports.
What are nursing interventions for Depression?
Key interventions: Assess suicide risk directly and provide a safe environment; follow protocol.; Establish a trusting, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship.; Administer and monitor antidepressants; note delayed onset and side effects. — each paired with a rationale.
Can I use this care plan for my assignment?
Use it as a study example and starting draft. Always adapt it to your specific patient and have it reviewed by your instructor. This is an educational tool, not medical advice.
Last reviewed 2026-07. Educational content based on standard nursing practice; not medical advice and not affiliated with NANDA-I/NIC/NOC. Always follow your institution's protocols and your instructor's guidance.