Depression

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

Depression is the most common childhood mental illness and nearly two million children and teens battle depression in the United States.  Depression is a mood disorder distinguished by persistent feelings of sadness. Depression can affect both adults and children of all ages, including infants.  Yes, you read correctly, even infants. While each child and adult experience symptoms differently, some of the most common include feeling of sadness; having low self-esteem, difficulty with relationships, decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, suicidal thoughts, frequent headaches, stomach aches, and even fatigue.  While the exact cause of depression is not known, research has linked genetics and environmental factors as the common reasons for depression.  Depression can have severe consequences and should require medical attention and treatments like talk therapy.  If persistent signs of depression are detected in children and teens, parents should talk to their child’s pediatrician and get the appropriate help. Early intervention can make a difference in the lives of children and teens battling depression.  This section has a variety of resources that will help you better understand depression.

Books for Adults

• The Depressed Child: A Parent’s Guide for Rescuing Kids by Douglas A. Riley
• Depression and Your Child: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers by Deborah Serani
• The Disappearing Girl: Learning the Language of Teenage Depression by Lisa Machoian
• Adolescent Depression: A Guide for Parents by Francis Mark Mondimore
• Freeing Your Child From Negative Thinking: From Toddlers to Teens by Tamar E. Chansky, PhD
• Raising Depression-Free Children: A Parent’s Guide to Prevention and Early Intervention by Kathleen Hockey
• Talking to Depression: Simple Ways To Connect When Someone In Your Life Is Depressed: Simple Ways To Connect When Someone In Your Life Is Depressed by Claudia J. Strauss
• Outsmarting Worry & Anxiety: Kid’s Guide to Managing Worry. Badass Ways to End Anxiety & Panic Attacks! Freeing Your Child from Anxiety: Powerful, Practical Solutions to Overcome Your Child’s Worries by Elisabeth Pittman
• Depression Hates a Moving Target: How Running With My Dog Brought Me Back From the Brink (Running Can Be
• Running Is My Therapy: Relieve Stress and Anxiety, Fight Depression, and Live Happierthe Best Therapy for Depression) by Nita Sweeney
• Running Is My Therapy: Relieve Stress and Anxiety, Fight Depression, and Live Happier by Scott Douglas

Links to Articles

• My Child Was Diagnosed with Depression…Now What? PSYCOM
• What Teachers Need to Know About Childhood Depression, We Are Teachers
• 7 Myths About Pediatric Depression, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Supporting Your Child With Low Mood and Depression, Young Minds
• What Do We Know About Depression in Preschoolers?, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
• Depression in children: 5-8 years, RaisingChildren.net
• Preschool Depression: The Importance of Identification of Depression Early in Development, National Library of Medicine
• Depression and High School Students, National Institute of Mental Health
• Depression in Children, WebMD
• Depression, World Health Organization

Video Links

• Mental Health Minute: Depression, National Research Institute | (1 minute)
• 7 Signs of Depression & Symptoms You Must Know, Dr. Sonya Bruner, Licensed Clinical Psychologist/Therapist (6:41 minutes)
• Signs of High Functioning Depression You Shouldn’t Ignore, | BetterHelp | (10:10 minutes)
• Childhood Depression: A Parent’s Primer | TVO Parents.com (12:50 minutes)
• Depression Symptoms in Children & Teens | Child Psychology (1:23 minutes)

Activities

• Have the child/student do as many push-ups in one minute. Adult can count out loud.
• Have the child/student go outside and run several laps around the house or school. Fresh air and exercise stimulate the brain.
• Have the child/student give themselves a big hug or a pat on the arm while telling themselves what a great job they are doing.
• Have the child/student play the game ‘Operation’. (Ages 5 and up)
• Have the child/student play the game ‘Don’t Spill the Beans’. (Ages 5 and up)
• Have the child/student play the game ‘Jenga’.
• Have the child/student stand on one foot will focusing on something straight ahead. Time to see how long they can balance themselves. (Ages 5 and up)
• Using a pinwheel have the child/student blow short, quick breaths. Then have them repeat the exercise using long deep breaths.  Discuss how the different breaths made them feel. (Age 4 and up)
• Have the child/student breath in for four seconds, then have them hold the breath for four seconds. Now breath out to the count of four.  Then wait four seconds before starting again. (Age 4 and up)

Books for Children

• What Should Danny Do? (The Power to Choose Series) by Adir Levy
• Anxiety Relief Book for Kids: Activities to Understand and Overcome Worry, Fear, and Stress, Ehrin Weiss, PhD
• What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety (What-to-Do Guides for Kids) by Dawn Hubener
• Anxiety Relief for Kids: On-the-Spot Strategies to Help Your Child Overcome Worry, Panic, and Avoidanc by Bridget Flynn Walker

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