Depression in Children

Depression is more than just “feeling blue” or having a bad day. And it’s different from feelings of grief or sorrow that follow a major loss, such as a death in the family. It’s not a personal weakness or a character flaw. Children and teens with clinical depression cannot simply “snap out of it.”
Depression is a serious health problem that affects feelings, thoughts and actions, and can appear as a physical illness. As many as one in eight teens and one in 33 children have clinical depression. Fortunately, depression in youth is treatable.
Signs of Depression
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Persistent sadness
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Withdrawal from family, friends and activities that were once enjoyed
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Increased irritability or agitation
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Changes in eating and sleeping habits (e.g., significant weight loss, insomnia, excessive sleep)
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Frequent physical complaints, such as headaches and stomachaches
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Lack of enthusiasm or motivation
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Decreased energy level and chronic fatigue
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Play that involves excessive aggression toward self or others, or that involves persistently sad themes
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Indecision, lack of concentration or forgetfulness
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Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
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Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
What Can Parents and Other Adults Do if They Suspect a Child May Have Depression?
- Know the warning signs for depression, and note the duration, frequency and severity of troubling behavior.
- Get accurate information from libraries, hotlines, the Internet and other sources.
- Take the child to see a mental health professional or doctor for evaluation and diagnosis if he or she is exhibiting several of the warning signs. The evaluation may include psychological testing, laboratory tests and consultation with other specialists.
- Ask questions about treatments and services. A comprehensive treatment plan may include psychotherapy, ongoing evaluation and, in some cases, medication. Optimally, the treatment plan is developed with the family, and whenever possible, the child.
- Talk to other families in your community or find a family network organization.
Our Blogs
Support Groups for Depression, Children, Teens Adolescents, Young Adult
Last Modified On: 12-02-2018 6:24 pm
This group provides support for family and friends of individuals with mental illness.
St. Joseph's Hospital/Breese
9515 Holy Cross Lane
Breese, IL 62230
Contact Information:
618-882-3306
sharon206@prodigy.net
Meeting Details
Meets: 2nd and 4th Mondays, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Breese-Mater Dei Library, 900 Mater Dei Drive, Breese, IL 62230
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Last Modified On: 12-02-2018 5:55 pm
City Hope Bible Church
5868 West Florissant Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63120
Contact Information:
Phyllis
314-385-9129
314-383-7771 church
Meeting Details
Call for more information, if needed.
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Last Modified On: 12-13-2019 6:14 pm
Depression Bipolar Support Alliance
907 Dock St
St Louis, MO 63147
Contact Information:
Helen or Sarah
314-652-6100
866-525-1442 Friendship Line
hminth@sbcglobal.net
Meeting Details
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Last Modified On: 12-02-2018 6:02 pm
Emotions Anonymous International Headquarters
P.O. Box 4245
St. Paul, MN 55104
Contact Information:
651-647-9712
Meeting Details
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Last Modified On: 10-21-2021 8:13 pm
Karla Smith Behavioral Health offers this support group for individuals and/or family members whose loved one experiences a mental health diagnosis.
Karla Smith Behavioral Health
200 North Lincoln
O'Fallon, IL 62269
Contact Information:
618-624-5771
Meeting Details
Meets: 1st Thursday of the month; 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Call or visit https://karlasmithbehavioralhealth.org/support-groups for additional information.
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Last Modified On: 02-24-2020 8:42 pm
NAMI St. Louis
1810 Craig Road #124
St. Louis, MO 63146
Contact Information:
HELP Line
314-962-4670
800-950-NAMI
info@namistl.org
Meeting Details
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Last Modified On: 12-02-2018 6:43 pm
A Christian support group committed to ministering to the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Within an atmosphere of acceptance, compassion, and empathy we offer relevant information, and trustworthy resources related to issues commonly associated with and experienced by those who have a loved one affected by a neurological disorder or a chemical imbalance. We provide a place to share one’s faith in God and one’s personal experiences as we walk a similar path alongside a family member, friend, or loved one living with a serious mental illness.
Central Presbyterian Church
7700 Davis Drive
St. Louis, MO 63105
Contact Information:
Pat Grace
grace1pat@sbcglobal.net
Meeting Details
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Last Modified On: 12-13-2019 6:18 pm
Recovery, International
Contact Information:
312-337-5661
866-221-0302
Meeting Details
Email Chuck at johnbeerg13@gmail.com for info about group meetings in St. Louis, Union and Ste. Genevieve, MO.
Visit recoveryinternational.org/meetings/find-a-meeting to locate groups and coordinators anywhere in the country.
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Last Modified On: 01-16-2020 4:57 pm
CenterPointe Hospital
4801 Weldon Spring Pkwy
St Charles, MO 63304
Contact Information:
Gregg Sansone
636-236-2267
greggsansone@hotmail.com