Step 1: Drafting
A page begins as a draft written against current clinical sources. Sources are recorded as the draft is written. The draft uses plain language and follows the writing rules listed on our Editorial Standards page.
Step 2: Clinical accuracy review
The draft is then reviewed line by line against the recorded sources. Any claim that cannot be traced to a current source is removed or rewritten. Any claim that overstates evidence is softened. Any claim that conflicts with current guidelines is corrected. The reviewer signs off when the page passes this step.
Step 3: Plain language and safety review
The page is then read in full as a non-clinician would read it. Sentences that depend on background knowledge are rewritten. Crisis content is checked against current safe-messaging guidance from the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. Specific drug doses and individual treatment recommendations are removed. The page is checked against the writing rules listed on our Editorial Standards page.
Step 4: Internal linking and accessibility check
The page is checked for internal links to related articles, glossary terms, and resources. Images are checked for descriptive alt text. Heading structure is checked for accessibility. Contrast is checked. The page is checked on mobile.
Step 5: Publish with a dated reviewer line
The page is published with a reviewer line and a last-reviewed date. The reviewer line names the clinician who signed off. The date is the date of clinical sign-off, not the date of publication. If a typo is fixed, the date does not change. If a clinical fact is updated, the date changes and a small note is added at the bottom of the page.
How often pages are re-reviewed
Every page is re-reviewed at least once every 18 months. Pages on these topics are re-reviewed more often:
- Crisis resources (every 6 months)
- Medication overviews (every 12 months)
- Treatment guidelines (every 12 months)
- Epidemiology and prevalence (every 12 months)
- Anything affected by a major guideline change (within 30 days of release)
Who reviews this site
Clinical review is led by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, a board-certified psychiatrist with 15 years of clinical experience.
Why this matters
Most people reading a depression page are doing so during a hard week. They deserve accurate information that was looked at by someone qualified to look at it. The process above is how we earn that trust.