Adults don’t always notice what is in front of them, but often times they may realize too late that they have been living with a child who is chronically depressed. Depression in children can be hard to catch because children are very moody at certain times in their lives. Parents need to stay in tune with the needs of their children so that they can catch warning signs early enough and intervention can take place.

Children face depression at different times during their lives. If they don’t get a lead part in the school play or if they don’t make the cheerleading squad they become depressed. However, true chronic depression is the last thing that children need or understand and it presents them with a lot of confusion as well. They are depressed and yet they don’t know why. They feel like the world is closing in on them and they are generally overwhelmed with sadness.

Depression in children can lead to suicide especially in teens around the age of 13 and up. If you suspect that your teenager or young child may have chronic depression, you must act now! Next week or tomorrow even could be too late. Children must have help immediately because of their inability to rationalize or understand situations which are out of their control.

Honesty in your own mental health will help a therapist work with your child professionally. If you or someone in your family battles chronic depression make sure you bring this to the attention of the counselor or psychologist who is working with your child. Chronic depression runs in families and if you or your spouse is dealing with chronic depression, it may be time for family counseling as well.

Strong support systems are necessary for helping your child to live a mentally healthy life. Counseling and group therapies may be necessary and medication is likely going to be part of your child’s treatment plan. Hopefully, by being an attentive parent, you can avoid in-patient treatment at all costs. It is better for you and for the child if you keep the child in a loving home rather than send them to a mental health facility for in-patient treatment. Children get lost among adults in in-patient treatment facilities.

Keeping your child involved in activities while encouraging them to love what they are doing in school and learning to get along with their peers can also be helpful in their overall mental health and growth. Never ridicule your child with chronic depression because you never know what might happen next. And you don’t want to live with the untimely death of a depressed teen or child who saw no point in going on with their life.

Talk to your child about their chronic depression and work out some sort of system between the two of you to help you help your child deal with the depression more accurately and attentively. Children count on their parents and your child is counting on you now more than ever.