Problem: Depression can lead to adverse patient outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Depression screening at an outpatient mental health center (OMHC) reached about 24% of adult clients, below the 100% standard, with 67% of those screened missing necessary referrals. These gaps accentuated the need for better depression management. Purpose: This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to enhance depression management at the OMHC by implementing the evidence-based Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) tool to screen all adult clients and ensure appropriate treatment referrals for at-risk individuals. Methods: The 15-week QI project, starting August 26, 2024, targeted approximately 1,200 adults visiting the center annually. Interventions included integrating the PHQ-9 tool into the electronic health record, establishing a structured depression screening workflow, and developing a referral system for positive screens. Implementation involved training healthcare providers (i.e., psychiatric nurse practitioners, an intake nurse, social workers, and substance use counselors) and front desk staff using the teach-back method. All adult clients underwent screenings with clinician reviews from the first week. The Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) tool enabled weekly data analysis and monitoring while ensuring data protection, confidentiality, and compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Results: Data showed a 100% depression screening rate and treatment referrals for at-risk adults after integrating PHQ-9 screening, with referrals exceeding targets from week 2 onward. Conclusion: Integrating PHQ-9 screening into the OMHC’s workflow improved depression identification and treatment referrals for at-risk adults. Findings emphasized the importance of routine evidence-based screenings and follow-ups to enhance depression management