As a parent, seeing your child depressed can be heartbreaking. Childhood is a beautiful phase of life, one that you’d want your child to enjoy to the fullest.
However, the reality is that not every child is having the best childhood, and this may be due to external factors, or due to their own mental health. Depression in children isn’t unheard of, and according to statistics, about 3.2 percent of children in the US are diagnosed with it.
If you see symptoms of depression in a child close to you, here’s what you should do.
Understand The Reality and Magnitude of What the Child Is Experiencing
When a child is diagnosed with depression, or you see the first few signs of depression in them, remind yourself that clinical depression is real, and it’s a disease. This will not only keep you from blaming the child for how they’re acting or feeling, but it will also keep you from invalidating their emotions by saying the wrong things.
Also, as a parent, you need to realize that your child feeling depressed isn’t your fault either, and getting overwhelmed by the situation won’t help them. Recognize the magnitude of the situation, but also don’t act in a way that makes your child feel pressured or further depressed.
Be There for Them Physically, And Emotionally
If a child has depression, they need a qualified therapist, but they also need a solid support system at home and school. Whether you’re the parent or the teacher, or a close relative, be there for the child physically and emotionally.
This means reminding the child that it’s okay for them to be depressed and that you’re here to listen to them if they want to talk. It may also mean giving them space if that’s what they require.
It’s also a good idea to work with their therapist to learn about their trigger and what role they can play in eliminating their depression.
Get Your Child Professional Help
For someone who’s never experienced depression, it’s easy to think that a child can’t possibly have depression because many adults think, “what could they be depressed about?” However, as we mentioned earlier, clinical depression is something some children go through, and it requires professional help.
So, in this situation, it’s your job, as the adult, to get them the help they need before their depression leads to other mental health problems and a poor quality of life overall.
If you’d like to learn more about depression in children, or need help handling children’s emotional problems, reach out to us at Blossom Hypnosis.
We also offer free consultations!
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