Children Depressed SignsDepression does not only affect adults. Children and young people can get depressed too. 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. Signs of depression in childrenSymptoms of depression in children often include:
Your child may also:
Some children have problems with anxiety as well as depression. Some also have physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches. Problems at school and problem behaviour can be a sign of depression in children and young people. Older children who are depressed may misuse drugs or alcohol. Why is my child depressed?Things that increase the risk of depression in children include:
Sometimes depression is triggered by a difficult event, such as parents separating, a bereavement or problems with school or other children. Often it's caused by a mixture of things. For example, your child may have a tendency to get depression and also have experienced some difficult life events. If you think your child is depressedIf you think your child may be depressed, it's important to talk to them. Try to find out what's troubling them and how they're feeling. See some tips on talking to younger children about their feelings and talking to teenagers. Whatever is causing the problem, take it seriously. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but it could be a major problem for your child. If your child does not want to talk to you, let them know you're concerned about them and you're there if they need you. Encourage them to talk to someone else they trust, such as another family member, a friend or someone at school. It may be helpful for you to talk to other people who know your child, including their other parent. You could also contact their school to ask if the staff have any concerns. When to get medical helpIf you think your child is depressed, or you're concerned about their general wellbeing, make an appointment with them to see a GP. If necessary, the GP can refer your child to a local children and young people's mental health services for specialist help. CYPMHS is used as a term for all services that work with children and young people who have difficulties with their mental health or wellbeing. You may also be able to refer your child without seeing a GP. Read more about where to get mental health support. Further supportIf you need support during a mental health crisis or emergency, read about where to get urgent help for mental health. If you're worried about any aspect of your child's mental health, you can call the charity YoungMinds' free parents' helpline for advice on 0808 802 5544 from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm. The YoungMinds website also has mental health support and advice for your child Sexual Health AdviceThroughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:
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