Whether depression affects a child directly or someone in a child's family, adults need to talk about it. An open discussion helps a child understand what depression is and that there are ways to help the depressed person get well again.
What Is It?
Everyone feels sad at times. For some people, that sadness grows and will not go away. Then it is called depression.
Who Gets It?
It doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl, or a child, or a teenager, or a grownup. It's possible for anyone to become depressed.
Why Do People Get It?
People get sad and depressed when someone important to them dies or moves away. Sometimes it happens after someone has been sick or hurt. Sometimes, people don't know what causes the sadness.
How Does the Sadness Feel?
Sometimes people with depression feel lonely or as if they can't stop crying. They may feel empty inside and like nothing is fun any more.
Getting Better
Children and adults go to doctors or therapists to get help with depression. They might talk about their feelings or they might take medicine to get better.
References
- KidsHealth: When is Sadness a Problem?
- Healthy Place: Talking With Your School-Age Child About Depression
- "Taking Depression to School;" Kathy Khalsa; 2002
