New Hope for Teen Depression: TMS Treatment Now Covered by TRICARE

Being a teenager is tough. Being a teenager in a military family can be even tougher. Constant moves, a parent being deployed, and adjusting to new schools and friends over and over again—it’s a lot. And for some teens, all that stress can lead to something even more serious: depression.

If your teen is struggling with depression, you’re not alone. One in five teenagers in the U.S. will go through at least one major depressive episode this year. And for military families, getting help isn’t always easy. Long wait times, limited providers, and frequent relocations can make finding the right treatment frustrating.

But now, there’s good news: BrainCare Carlsbad is the first clinic approved by TRICARE West to treat adolescent depression with TMS therapy. This means military families finally have access to a safe, non-drug option that’s covered by insurance.

If your teen is struggling, real help is now available.

How Depression Affects Military Teens

Teen depression isn’t just about feeling sad. It can affect every part of life—school, friendships, family relationships, and even physical health. Some signs of depression in teens include:

Feeling sad or irritable most of the time
Losing interest in activities they used to enjoy
Sleeping too much or too little
Struggling in school
Avoiding friends and family
Feeling hopeless or even thinking about self-harm

For military families, these struggles can be even more intense. The stress of moving, changing schools, and dealing with a parent’s deployment can take a serious emotional toll. And when a teen is struggling, the whole family feels it.

The biggest problem? Finding effective treatment. Many military families face long waits to see mental health professionals, and not all treatments work for every teen.

That’s why TMS is such a big deal.

What is TMS? And How Can It Help Your Teen?

TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is a non-invasive, non-drug treatment that helps the brain work the way it should. Instead of medication, TMS uses gentle magnetic pulses to activate the areas of the brain that control mood. And the results? They’re amazing.

78% of teens who tried TMS showed improvement
Nearly half (48%) went into full remission, meaning their depression symptoms disappeared
On average, teens had a 10+ point improvement in their depression scores

TMS doesn’t have the side effects that come with antidepressants—no weight gain, no drowsiness, no mood swings. The only common side effect is mild discomfort at the treatment site, which usually goes away after a few sessions.

Plus, treatments are fast and easy:

Each session lasts about 19 minutes
Teens can go right back to school or activities afterward
It’s a short-term treatment—just 36 sessions total

For military families who have struggled to find good mental health care, this is a breakthrough.

Why This Matters for Military Families

If you’re a veteran or active-duty service member with a teen battling depression, you know how heartbreaking it is to see them struggle. You’ve served your country, but getting the right mental health care for your child shouldn’t be another battle.

Depression doesn’t just affect your teen—it affects your whole family. It creates stress, worry, and sometimes even tension between family members. And for military families who are already dealing with the pressures of service, this can feel overwhelming.

That’s why this news is so important. In March 2024, the FDA cleared TMS as an adjunct for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents aged 15-21. And now, for the first time, TRICARE West is covering TMS treatment for teens.

Hope Is Here—Get Help Today

Military families sacrifice so much. Getting the right mental health care for your child shouldn’t be another struggle.

Now, with TRICARE West covering TMS for adolescent depression at BrainCare Carlsbad, help is finally here.

If your teen is battling depression, don’t wait. Call BrainCare Carlsbad today and take the first step toward healing.

Because every military family deserves support. And every teen deserves hope.