Background: Autistic adolescents have greater predisposition to depression and suicidality than neurotypical adolescents. Early detection is essential for timely treatment. The Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9) is a brief screen for depression. The study examines the validity of the PHQ-9 for detecting major depressive disorder (MDD) in autistic youths. Methods: English speaking youths aged 10–18 years, with DSM-IV/DSM-5/ICD-10 diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and their parents presenting to a child psychiatric service were invited to participate between May 2018 to August 2020. Participants completed the respective self- and parent-rated PHQ-9 independently. MDD was verified using the MINI-Kid (Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Kid version). Results: One hundred one youth, mean (SD) age 14.6 (2.3), were enrolled. 27 (27%) met criteria for current MDD. Mean total PHQ-9 scores, percentage ratings for severity of symptoms of depression, functional impairment, dysthymia and suicidality were compared. Areas under the ROC curve and statistically optimal cutoffs were determined. Parents rated depressive symptoms severity lower than their children. The PHQ-9 displayed low sensitivity with high false negative rates at conventional, adjusted and proposed cutoffs. Conclusions: Future studies should improve on the validity and reliability of existing depression screening tools, or develop more appropriate screening methods of depression, for autistic youths.

Front-line doctors are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19. The mental resilience of general practitioners and their areas of concerns and support required are important during this COVID-19 period. A total of 403 general practitioners attending a webinar on resiliency, hosted by the College of Family Physicians, Singapore, participated in the survey anonymously. Participants provided responses to questions relating to COVID-19 in the domains of Family and friends, Myself, Practice, and Community. Responses are categorized into LEARNING, FEAR, and GROWTH zones. The majority of the doctors reported to be in the GROWTH zone in relation to Family and friends (39%) and Myself (38%) as compared to Practice and Community, aOR = 4.5 (95% CI 3.4 to 5.9), p < 0.001. 34% of the participants reported being in the FEAR zone in relation to Family and friends, aOR = 8.0 (95% CI = 5.6 to 11.2), p < 0.001; at least 81% reported being in the LEARNING zone in relation to Practice and Community, aOR = 7.5 (95% CI = 5.8 to 9.6), p < 0.001, compared to other domains. Supporting and protecting the doctors is important in strategic planning and management of the current pandemic and building preparedness and an effective response towards future crises.