From Blue to You
Depression in Children and
Adolescents
What is depression?
• A common mental disorder or
illness
• Involves the body, mood, and
thoughts
What depression is not
• A depressive disorder is not the same
as a passing blue mood.
• It is not the same as normal child or
adolescent “moodiness.”
Is depression common?
• One in every 33 children (2.5 percent)
• One in eight adolescents (8.3 percent)
What are the symptoms?
•
Physical symptoms
• Emotional symptoms
•
Psychosocial symptoms
• Symptoms differ based on age
and development of youth
• Preschool
• School age
• Adolescence /
High school
• Stigma
• Embarrassment
• Concern about peer group
Treatment
• Talk therapy
•
Medication therapy
• Combination: talk and medication therapy
What to do if you think a child
or teen has depression
• Find support and get professional help
– Primary care provider
• Talk
• Listen
What to do if you think a child or
teen has depression
• Help your child to follow through with
treatment
• Plan and prepare healthy meals
• Be active together and go out
• References
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Brown University (2002) The Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter, 18, 4.
Duckworth, K. (2006). About mental illness: Depression. Retrieved from
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=5
4&ContentID=23039&lstid=326
Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175
Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression: Supporting loved ones through their battle with depression. Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00016
NMHA (2008). Children’s Mental Health Statistics. Mental Health America
http://www1.nmha.org/children/prevent/stats.cfm
NIMH (2008). What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/symptoms.shtml
NIMH (2008). How do children and adolescents experience depression?
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/how-do-children-and-adolescents-experiencedepression.shtml
Nutrition Health Center (2008). Depression Statistics Information http://www.add-adhd-helpcenter.com/Depression/statistics.htm
Ryan, N. (2003). About mental illness: Depression in adolescents and children. Retrieved from
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&Conte
ntID=17623
Sarafolean, M. H. (2000). Depression in School-Age Children and Adolescents: Characteristics, Assessment and
Prevention. In A Pediatric Perspective, July/August 2000 Volume 9 Number 4
http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/children.asp
For More Information…
www.bluetoyou.org
Leigh Ann Simmons; MFT, PhD
former Assistant Professor
Department of Family Studies
Ester Edwards, BS
Graduate student
Department of Family Studies
Leslie Crofford, MD
Professor,
College of Medicine
Health Education through Extension Leadership
The development of the HEEL program was made possible by
Senator Mitch McConnell with funds earmarked for the University
of Kentucky, College o f Agriculture, Lexington Ky. and budgeted
through the CSREES/USDA Federal Administration.
April 2010
Copyright © 2010 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This
publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only.
Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice.
Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age,
sex, religion, disability, or national origin.