Depression
These resources cannot take the place of counseling, but you may find that they offer helpful insight into the dynamics of depression. For more support, or with assistance in finding a local counselor, please contact your child's school counseling department.
Everyone feels sad from time to time. Sometimes that sadness can even feel overwhelming. However, Depression is a serious disorder in which individuals feel sad, empty, or hopeless all day every day for at least two weeks. In adolescents, this may also present as an angry or irritable mood.
Children who are struggling with depression may also show signs of:
Sadness or tearfulness
Irritability
Withdrawing from friends or activities
Not wanting to go to school
Eating too much or not wanting to eat at all
Sleeping excessively or not being able to sleep
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Thoughts of death or suicide
If you are worried that your child may be struggling with depression, you can take the following steps to seek help:
Talk to your school counselor: School counselors can talk with students about what they are experiencing, help them develop positive coping skills, and offer parents community resources for further support.
Talk to your family doctor: Doctors can evaluate children and adolescents for depression and recommend further steps.
Seek outside counseling: a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) can evaluate children and adolescents for depression and provide counseling and support to address it. Counseling is typically covered by health insurance, and your insurance company should be able to give you a list of in network providers. Your school counselor can also provide a list of counselors in our community.
Learn more about depression and help your child develop positive coping skills in order to manage their feelings in healthy ways.
If your child is thinking of, or talking about suicide, it is important to seek help immediately.
If you are in crisis right now,
Call 911
Go to your closest Emergency Room
Call the Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
For more information on depression, you can explore the following resources: