Children and young people are at risk of having depression. According to a study, there are about 20 to 25 out of 100 children who had experienced depression by the time they reach the age of 18. This is quite an alarming number, supporting the current notion that mental illness has been overlooked over the years.
"Depression does exist in children--it's a very real disorder which probably affects between 3 percent and 5 percent of all children and adolescents," said David Fassler, MD, child and adolescent psychiatrist and clinical professor of psychiatry at the University Of Vermont College Of Medicine in Burlington.
Difficult Issues
Pub Med Health states that children and young people are experiencing some situations that are difficult for them. Most of these difficult issues that children cope include having trouble with parents, feeling unhappy about themselves or their physical appearance, low grades at school, lovesick for the first time and losing friends.
These can make them feel distressed and sad. If they cannot recover from any of these issues, it would lead to depression.
Protecting your Child from Childhood Depression
Parents cannot comprehend problems in life and even to their children's life. At times, it would be normal to encounter the problem along the way. On the other hand, difficult problems may affect your kids. You have to work on and prevent depression in your children.
Knowing the signs of Depression in children could prevent suicide https://t.co/asVnn4zGre
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Everyday Health reports the advice of Dr. Fassler in preventing depression in children. She advises that you must provide your children with love and support. This comes first with you as parents.
Build and encourage strong relationships with other people such as relatives, teachers, friends and other community members. You must also teach your children to be honest in what they feel. Let them talk honestly with you what's on their minds and how they feel.
Give your children a positive feedback and constant encouragement. Teach your children to experience life, such as having good and bad times. Instill in their minds that not all the times are good. There are problems in life that people experience normally as they live.
They must learn how to handle disappointments and frustrations. Build your children's self-esteem. Know and develop their skills. This will make them happy as they see their skills being develop and knowing what they can do in life. Lastly, avoid transferring homes and schools often. This may affect them emotionally, socially and mentally.
