- भाषा से जुड़ी सहायता चाहिए?
- ត្រូវការជំនួយភាសាឬ?
- ຕ້ອງການການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອດ້ານພາສາບໍ່?
- Нужна помощь с языком?
- 언어 지원 서비스가 필요하신가요?
- Precisa de assistência linguística?
- Χρειάζεστε βοήθεια με τη γλώσσα;
- Need language assistance?
- Occorre assistenza con la lingua?
- Besoin d’assistance linguistique ?
- Ou bezwen asistans lengwistik?
- 需要語言協助？
- ભાષા સહાયતાની જરૂર છે?
- ¿Necesita asistencia en otros idiomas?
- هل تحتاج إلى مساعدة لغوية؟
- Bạn có cần trợ giúp về ngôn ngữ không?
- Potrzebujesz pomocy językowej?
Depression in Children and Teens
What is depression in children and teens?
What is depression in children and teens?
Depression is a serious mental health condition that can take the joy from a child's life. It is normal for a child to be moody or sad from time to time. You can expect these feelings after the death of a pet or a move to a new city. But if these feelings last more than two weeks, they may be a sign of depression.
Depression can range from mild to severe. In its most severe form, depression can cause a child to lose hope and want to die.
Even a young child can have depression that needs treatment to improve.
What are the symptoms of depression in children and teens?
What are the symptoms of depression in children and teens?
A child or teen may be depressed if they:
- Are irritable, sad, withdrawn, or bored most of the time.
- Do not take pleasure in things they used to enjoy.
A child or teen who is depressed may also:
- Lose or gain weight.
- Sleep too much or too little.
- Feel hopeless, worthless, or guilty.
- Have trouble concentrating, thinking, or making decisions.
- Think about death or suicide a lot.
The symptoms of depression are often overlooked at first. Depression may not look the same in a child or teen as in an adult. Also, it can be hard to tell the difference between depression and normal moodiness.
How is depression in children and teens treated?
How is depression in children and teens treated?
Treatment in children and teens usually includes:
- Education about depression. This can be provided by a doctor or in family therapy. Your child and family can learn important things such as how to follow a treatment plan. You'll also learn what problems to watch for.
- Professional counseling. Several types of counseling can be used to treat depression. Types include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy. It's important to find a mental health professional you and your child trust and feel comfortable with.
- Antidepressant medicine. This may be an option if the child is very depressed. Combining antidepressant medicine with counseling may work best.
A child with severe depression may need to be treated in the hospital. In some cases, the doctor may recommend electroconvulsive therapy for an older child or teen who has severe depression or doesn't respond to other treatment.
Childhood depression: When to call
Childhood depression: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child makes threats or attempts to hurt themself or another person.
- You are a young person and you feel you cannot stop from hurting yourself or someone else.
Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If your child talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:
- Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
- Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.
Consider saving these numbers in your phone.
Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child hears voices.
- Your child has depression and:
- Talks or writes about death, including writing suicide notes and talking about guns, knives, or pills. Be sure all guns, knives, and pills are safely put away where your child cannot get to them.
- Starts to give away possessions.
- Uses drugs or drinks alcohol heavily.
- Starts to spend a lot of time alone.
- Acts very aggressively or suddenly appears calm.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if your child has any problems.
Supporting a child who has a mental health condition
Supporting a child who has a mental health condition
A mental health condition can make it harder for your child to manage their feelings and behaviors. They may struggle with things like doing schoolwork, making friends, or getting along with their siblings. This can be very stressful for your child and for you. But there are some things you can do to help.
- Find a counselor for your child.
Look for a counselor that your child feels safe with and trusts. You can ask your child's doctor for a referral.
- Learn about the condition.
Your child's doctor or counselor may be able to recommend books, podcasts, and websites. You could find out about:
- Symptoms of the condition.
- Your child's treatment options and the types of mental health professionals that can help.
- Mental health laws. For example, parents usually have the right to look at their child's medical records.
- Advocate for your child.
Your child's counselor will likely want to help. This can include:
- Telling your child's teacher about the condition and asking how the school can help.
- Communicating often with your child's teacher.
- Asking for help from supportive family and friends.
- Be thoughtful about how you engage with your child.
Here are some things you can do:
- Try to respond calmly when your child is upset. If you're feeling emotional, it's okay to take time to yourself.
- Listen closely when your child shares their feelings.
- Be understanding of the challenges that your child faces because of the condition.
- Emphasize that the condition is an illness and not your child's fault.
- Avoid focusing too much on the condition. Instead, focus on what you love and enjoy about your child.
- Teach your child ways to manage the condition.
Encourage good self-care like getting enough sleep, eating a variety of healthy foods, and being active. Work on healthy ways to manage feelings, like deep breathing, playing with a pet, or doing a hobby. Try to set an example by practicing these things yourself. To learn more, work with your child's counselor or take parenting classes.
- Take care of yourself.
Find a counselor for yourself if you need support. You can ask your doctor or your child's counselor for a referral. Make time for yourself. And do things that you enjoy, such as a favorite activity or spending time with a close friend.
- Find community resources.
Examples include support groups, treatment centers, and local crisis hotlines. To find resources:
- Talk to your child's doctor or counselor, or check with your health insurance.
- Ask a family member or friend who has a child with a mental health condition.
Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If your child talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:
- Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
- Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.
Consider saving these numbers in your phone.
Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.
Find a provider today!
Harvard Pilgrim has a large and growing network of behavioral health providers who offer expertise across dozens of behavioral health care specialties. Search our online directory to find a provider near you.
Convenient and inclusive mental health care
Enjoy the convenience of virtual mental health visits with Doctor On Demand. Their helpful and caring therapists and prescribers come from a wide range of backgrounds and specialties, so you can find a provider who’s the right fit for you.