by Sanjukta Mondal, Medical Xpress
edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Robert Egan
Omega-3 supplementation did not outperform placebo in reducing depression severity in children and teens. Credit: PxHere
Fish oil pills rich in omega-3 fatty acids gained attention as a possible add-on treatment for depression, as a few studies on adults found noticeable improvements in symptoms when combined with antidepressants.
When a similar study was conducted with children and adolescents, omega-3 fatty acids did not do any better than a placebo.
A team of researchers from Switzerland carried out a large clinical trial at five different centers, spanning nine months, to test whether adding omega-3 supplements to standard treatment could help teenagers and young adults with moderate-to-severe depression. The study involved 257 participants aged 8 to 18 who were randomly assigned to receive either 1.5 grams of omega-3 supplements or placebo pills daily.
The results are published in JAMA Network Open.
Is fish oil the new snake oil?
Depression rates are climbing across all ages, genders, and regions. In children and adolescents, it is a leading contributor to mental health-related illness and a major risk factor for suicide, which is the second leading cause of death among U.S. adolescents.
About one in every six adolescents has reported experiencing some form of depressive episode, with the rates being much higher among females. This makes depression no less than a public health emergency, yet fewer than half of those who need help actually receive appropriate treatment.
Apart from financial burden and lack of access, there is another factor that might prevent one from getting on a robust treatment plan—being distracted by unproven natural supplements. The researchers of this study believe this could be harmful because it may lead families to delay evidence-based care. When effective treatment is delayed, depression can linger for longer, thus increasing the risk of suicide.
Omega-3 pills became the topic of research because of their rising popularity as supplements for mental health. Approximately 9.5% of Swiss people take these supplements for perceived cardiovascular, neurological, and mental health benefits.
While some studies in adults show minor symptom improvements when omega-3s are used with antidepressants, the results largely remain inconsistent. Also, little is known about their impact on pediatric depression.
This study revealed that supplementing depression treatment with fish oil pills didn’t prove more effective than placebo at improving quality of life, reducing suicidal ideation, or the need for antidepressants. Both groups showed similar improvements during the study and showed depression scores of 36.5 with omega-3 vs. 36.8 with placebo.
The results indicate that omega-3 supplements provide no additional benefit for depression. However, the trial was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have influenced the outcomes. The study also did not control for social media use, another important factor affecting mental health. Further research addressing these limitations is needed to produce more robust findings.
The researchers suggest exploring biological markers as a way to improve treatment strategies for pediatric depression.
Written for you by our author Sanjukta Mondal, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Egan—this article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You’ll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.
More information
Gregor Berger et al, ω-3 Fatty Acids in Pediatric Major Depressive Disorder, JAMA Network Open (2026). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.48703
Journal information: JAMA Network Open
Key medical concepts
Major Depressive Disorder Clinical Trial placebo Suicidal ideation
© 2026 Science X Network
Explore further
Clinical trial reveals that omega-3 fish oil supplements do not help prevent depression
