A school nurse is assessing an adolescent client who indicates they have been experiencing depression due to a recent move. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?

When an adolescent presents to the school nurse with depression following a life stressor such as a recent move, the most appropriate immediate nursing intervention is to connect the student with a qualified mental health professional available within the school setting — in this case, a school-based counselor. This intervention provides direct psychosocial support and professional mental health evaluation in an accessible, familiar environment, which is consistent with the school nurse's role as a coordinator of care and a facilitator of appropriate referrals. Encouraging physical activity such as joining a sports team may be a helpful adjunct over time, but it is not the priority intervention for a student who is currently experiencing depression. Recommending a part-time job could add stress and financial burden and does not address the psychological need. A referral to a neurologist is inappropriate at this stage because there is no indication of a neurological disorder; depression related to a psychosocial stressor is a mental health concern, not a neurological one. The key principle here is that the school nurse should address psychosocial needs by facilitating referral to appropriately credentialed professionals within the school community.