There is an urgent need for early identification of depressed individuals so that they may be found and helped in time. Childhood depression is often masked by problems in school, and as a result, these children usually go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. It has been found that drawings by depressed patients have distinct patterns which are rated closer to normal controls than drawings by patients with organic mental disorders or schizophrenia. Statistically significant differences were found between drawings by depressed and control group patients in attributes such as integration, logic, realism, and showed problem-solving skills. The Draw a Story (DAS) instrument was developed as a semi-structured interview technique and as a measure for assessing depression. A 1988 study (n=350) and a 1993 study (n=107) suggest that strongly negative responses to the DAS task are associated with clinical depression and may be associated with depression among adolescents and men. Eighty-two figures reproduce the DAS instrument, subject drawing samples, and data. Five tables produce data and statistical analysis. Three appendices present an analysis of differences between depressed and nondepressed subjects; age and gender differences in attitudes toward solitary subject (SDT); and male and female attitudes toward solitary subjects and relationships in response to the SDT. Contains 29 references. (TS)