Depression in children and teenagers

Depression doesn't just affect adults. Children and teenagers can get depressed too. Some studies show that almost one in four young people will experience depression before they are 19 years old.It's important to get help early if you think your child may be depressed. The longer it goes on, the more likely it is to disrupt your child's life and turn into a long-term problem

Symptoms of depression in children often include:

• sadness, or a low mood that doesn't go away
• being irritable or grumpy all the time
• not being interested in things they used to enjoy
• feeling tired and exhausted a lot of the time

Your child may also:

• have trouble sleeping or sleep more than usual
• not be able to concentrate
• interact less with friends and family
• be indecisive
• not have much confidence
• eat less than usual or overeat
• have big changes in weight
• seem unable to relax or be more lethargic than usual
• talk about feeling guilty or worthless
• feel empty or unable to feel emotions (numb)
• have thoughts about suicide or self-harming
• actually self-harm, for example, cutting their skin or taking on overdose

Some children have problems with anxiety as well as depression. Some also have physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches. Problems at school can be a sign of depression in children and teenagers and so can problem behaviour, especially in boys.
Older children who are depressed may misuse drugs or alcohol.

Our mission as teachers is to detect the first symptoms, to help children to talk about their problems, to support them and if we can, to change a sad face into a smiling one.