Depression is one of the most common mental health problems in adolescence. Contrary to what parents might expect, teens with depression usually don’t just seem sad or mopey—they often seem irritable and angry.  Agitation and irritability are some of the most common symptoms of childhood depression. It is important to know that depression counseling for children and teens is effective. It works.

Left unaddressed depression has a negative impact on a how children develop, perform at school, make friends and interact with their families. Children and adolescents with depression may feel sad or hopeless. Often times, kids and teens with depression lose interest for things they once enjoyed. They may have poor self-image or think of themselves as incapable or as failures. Depression is the leading cause of suicide among youth.

Suicide and Teen Depression

Severely depressed teens often think and talk about killing themselves. A terrifying amount of teenage suicide attempts are successful. Additionally, it is important for any talk or attempt of suicide to be taken very seriously.  Also, depressed teenagers are at a particularly higher risk for actually completing suicide and therefore should be watched closely for any signs of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

If your teen is doing any of these things, don’t wait. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or take your teen to an emergency room to be evaluated.

Help for children and teens with depression

Therapy for children and teens with depression is effective. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the one of the most common, evidenced-based counseling approaches. Depression counseling for children and teens involves helping them challenge unhelpful beliefs and thoughts about themselves and the world that contribute to feeling worthless or inadequate.

You may be wondering how parents can help their depressed child?  Parents are just as important as counseling in helping kids reduce depression symptoms.

Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling is proudly helping children, teens and their families in Kalamazoo, Portage Mattawan and South West Michigan.

Call  269-615-7637 to get help for your child or teen with depression