• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
CHOC logo horizontal

CHOC - Children's Health

Long Live Childhood

  • Featured Topics
    • Allergies
    • Asthma
    • Cancer / Oncology
    • Cold and Flu
    • Heart / Cardiology
    • Nutrition
    • Parenting
    • Primary Care
    • Safety
    • Browse by Provider
    • Browse by Topic
  • Guides
    • Anxiety
    • ADHD
    • Autism
    • Bullying
    • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Vaccines
    • Depression
    • Eating Disorders
    • Healthcare options
    • Immunizations
    • Mental Health
    • Suicide Prevention
  • CHOC.org
  • Subscribe

MENTAL HEALTH GUIDE

Depression

Depression is a real, treatable medical condition. Depression is more than just a bad mood—it is a period(s) of irritability, intense hopelessness, anger, or frustration that can last for weeks, months, or longer. These feelings can make it difficult for children and teens to function as they normally would, to get through the day, or to find joy in things they usually enjoy. Some of the more troublesome symptoms of depression include self-harm and suicidal thoughts or feelings. Depression is also associated with a significantly elevated risk for anxiety and for substance use, behavior and eating disorders.

Depression overview
Tips for parents and caregivers
Tips for kids and teens
Recommended guides, books, and articles

Crisis Resources

If your child expresses thoughts of wanting to harm themselves or others, call 9-1-1 or visit the nearest Emergency Department.

MHSA Suicide Prevention Line:

(877) 7CRISIS or (877) 727-4747

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

(800) 273-TALK or (800) 273-8255

Crisis Text Line:

Text “HOME” to 741741


Save for later

Download, print or share on social media.

Download

External resources

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
www.nimh.nih.gov/

Find a mental health provider

Check your insurance website or the back of your insurance card.

Explore Psychology Today’s “Find a Therapist” tool.
www.psychologytoday.com/us

Call CalOptima Behavioral Health (Orange County, CA).
855-877-3885

Depression Overview

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 1.9 million children ages 3-17 have been diagnosed with depression. Of the youth diagnosed with depression, approximately 60% do not receive any type of mental health treatment to address the condition.

What are some of the symptoms of depression?

  • Feeling sad, empty or hopeless more often than not
  • Feeling irritable
  • Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping more than normal
  • Feeling very tired or having little energy
  • Feeling worthless or guilty
  • Having trouble concentrating
  • Thinking about dying or suicide
  • Changes in appetite

What are the symptoms that parents should watch out for?

Symptoms of depression vary from child to child, so here are some behaviors parents can keep an eye out for, which may hint that your child is depressed or in need of mental health care.

  • The child seems very irritable; keep in mind depression in young kids can look more irritable than sad or down.
  • The child is spending a lot of time in their room and does not want to interact with family or friends
  • The child has a significant decrease in energy level and is spending more time in bed/sleeping than usual
  • The child is very “sensitive” and cries easily
  • The child appears to get angry “out of nowhere”
  • The child does not want to go to school
  • Big changes to child’s appetite – suddenly eating significantly more or less

What’s the difference between natural adolescent behavior and depression?

Symptoms of depression may not be obvious, such as a teen exhibiting sadness. It is common for teens to be overwhelmed easily during all of their developmental changes, or to appear irritated and withdrawn from family because they’d rather be with their friends.

It’s important for parents, caregivers, and educators to be able to spot the difference between natural teen behavior and depressive behavior.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5), clinically diagnosed depression may be called Major Depressive Disorder or Other Specified Depressive Disorder. The DSM-5 states that common symptoms of depression may include irritable mood, lack of motivation, inability to concentrate, fatigue, physical symptoms like stomach aches and headaches, social withdrawal, sadness, and behavioral issues such as non-compliance and or defiance.

If your teen is not usually this way, and if there is a pattern of these symptoms popping up for more than two weeks, it may be a red flag that your teen may be experiencing a depressive episode.

Who experiences depression?

Up to 9% of youth experience at least one major depressive episode by age 14. Adolescents are even more likely to experience depression. Girls experience depression at roughly twice the rate of boys. Up to 37% of college students exhibit/express experiencing depressive symptoms. 

Depression is the most common mental health condition among trans youth; 66.5% of trans teens experience depression.  


Featured Webinar
Is my teen ok? How to identify anxiety and depression in adolescents

Learn more about CHOC’s Pediatric Mental Health Services

At CHOC, we specialize in providing a full continuum of pediatric mental healthcare, including inpatient, intensive outpatient and outpatient program services.

Visit CHOC.org

Tips for parents and caregivers of children with depression

Watching a child deal with depression can be distressing for parents. The good news is adults don’t need to feel powerless. If you are a parent who is concerned about your child or one of their friends, here are some tips about how to support them. This guide on common sayings to avoid, and what to say instead, can help as well.

Show your love

Children need love, empathy, and respect. Let them know you care and that their feelings are important. Just be present, sit with them and reassure them that you understand how they feel.

Stick to a routine

Schedules and routines create a sense of structure and security and can help make tasks feel more approachable. Help create routines for your child to—even though they may not feel like doing activities.

Focus on positive communication

Track your ratio of negative to positive comments to your child. Your goal should be 1 negative to 5 positives.

Develop a positive environment

Create a positive atmosphere to help your child relax. Make a list of fun things to do together and follow through with them.

Take care of yourself

Find a support group, take an exercise class or hire a babysitter so you can get out. You also have to take care of yourself when taking care of your child.

Find treatment for your child

Your child may benefit from therapy/counseling and/or medication. Talk with their doctor to decide what will work best for your family.

Get help

If your child expresses thoughts about wanting to kill or hurt themselves or is making concerning statements, call 9-1-1 or bring your child to the nearest emergency department right away. These feelings/thoughts are an emergency. Never assume it is a joke or an exaggeration.

Assure your child

Let your child know you are going to do what it takes to help them to feel better and that therapy, activity and medications can help them. Remember that depression is treatable and that it can get better.

Tips for kids and teens with depression

Depression can be overwhelming and can make you feel hopeless, but it is important to remember it is treatable. Ask a parent or trusted adult for support. The following tips can also help you cope.

If you are in immediate crisis or feel like hurting yourself or others, call (877) 7CRISIS or (800) 273-TALK, or text “HOME” to 741741. You can also call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department. Don’t wait to get help.

Try not to bottle up your feelings

Seek out a trusted friend or adult, such as your parent, to talk to about your feelings and what is on your mind.

Understand that there is a name for what you are going through and that you are not alone

At least half of your classmates will experience symptoms of depression at some point in their lives. Even if you feel alone, know that there are other people who have felt the same way you do and can help support you through these feelings.

Keep up with friends and activities

Even if you do not want to do things, you should still try to do them. Push yourself to try to do fun things, even if you have to go through the motions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the activities you used to enjoy may not be safe in their typical form. Talk to your parent or guardian about activities you can have fun doing while still being safe.

Do something that makes you feel proud.

Do your homework, finish a chore (such as cleaning your room) and notice what a good job you did. Feel proud of your hard work. Set small goals like this to help keep that proud feeling going throughout the week.

Talk about your sadness

Sometimes when people feel sad, the things they think about are sad, too. If your best friend told you they were feeling really sad or had a problem, what would you say to support them? Try talking through your own sadness with a friend.

Talk about scary thoughts and feelings

Sometimes when kids feel upset, they think a lot about death or dying. If you notice yourself having scary thoughts such as “I want to die,” tell a trusted adult, such as your parent or guardian. Get help or call 9-1-1 right away if you feel like you might hurt yourself.

Focus on getting enough sleep

We are more likely to get upset or feel down if we don’t get enough rest. Try to make the hour before you go to bed peaceful and relaxing. Try to stay away from your phone and the TV, since the light tricks your brain into thinking it is daytime.

Learn more about depression symptoms and treatment

At CHOC, we specialize in providing a full continuum of pediatric mental healthcare, including inpatient, intensive outpatient and outpatient program services.

Visit CHOC.org

Depression recommended reading

Related guides

Depression often occurs alongside other mental health conditions such as anxiety and eating disorders. For more information on other mental health conditions that can occur alongside depression, please visit our other mental health guides.

More mental health guides

Anxiety

Eating Disorders

Mental Health

Depression books

  • Depressed Child: A Parent’s Guide for Rescuing Kids, Douglas A. Riley
  • Help me, I’m sad: Recognizing, Treating and Preventing Childhood Depression and Adolescent Depression, David G. Fassler and Lynne S Dumas
  • Raising Depression-Free Children: A Parent’s Guide to Prevention and Early Intervention Kathleen Panula Hockey
  • The Childhood Depression Sourcebook, Jeffrey A. Miller
  • Lonely, Sad & Angry: How to Help Your Unhappy Child, Barbara D. Ingersoll

What is ‘high-functioning depression’ and ‘high-functioning anxiety’?

Your guide to mental health resources from CHOC

Is my teen OK? Helping parents identify anxiety and depression in their adolescents

Preventing overdose with over-the-counter medications: What parents need to know

View all mental health guides
View all mental health articles
Learn more about CHOC pediatric mental health services

The guidance on this page has been clinically reviewed by CHOC pediatric experts.

The contents of this webpage, including text, graphics, audio files, and videos (“Materials”), are for your general information only. The Materials are not intended to substitute qualified professional or medical advice, diagnoses, or treatments. CHOC does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, or other information that may be mentioned on or linked to this webpage. Always call your physician or another qualified health provider if you have any questions or problems. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the nearest emergency department, or call 911.

Footer

.

About CHOC

Our pediatric healthcare system is dedicated to preserving the magic of childhood.

  • Kids Health eNewsletter Archive
  • Find care
    • Find a provider
    • Programs and services
    • Refer a patient
    • Locations
  • Visit CHOC.org
    • About CHOC
    • Donate
    • Careers
    • Events
    • Press room
  • Policies and legal

CHOC News

  • Ukraine news isn’t easy for children, but it shouldn’t be ignored
  • CHOC named among Chapman University’s 100 Top Employers
  • A New Resident Dog Comforts Pediatric Mental Health Patients

Upcoming Events

  • California Dreaming
  • Dream A Lil Dream with Baby Panache in the Spring
  • Gerardo Navarro Insurance Agency Book Drive
  • Ralphs Community Contributions
  • Food 4 Less Community Contribution Program

Copyright © 2022 CHOC | www.choc.org | A 501(c)(3) Organization
1201 W La Veta Ave, Orange, CA 92866 | (714) 997-3000

These articles are not intended to replace the relationship you have with a physician or another healthcare practitioner. For specific medical advice, diagnoses and treatment, please consult your doctor. This website may include links to other websites which provide additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of this publication. Linking to a non-CHOC site does not constitute an endorsement by CHOC of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site.