Guide helps recognize depression in children
DEAR ABBY: Seeing a child struggle with depression is such a helpless feeling. Parents wonder how to talk to them as they withdraw from the people and activities that used to bring them joy.
Depressed kids are more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs and are at greater risk for attempting suicide.
To help concerned parents reach out to their hurting children, USA. gov has created the free online-only Kids and Depression guide at www. USA.gov/features/kids-and-depression. The guide’s sound, compassionate advice helps parents, grandparents and teachers recognize symptoms and risk factors in young people. It explains treatment options, including counseling and medication. And it also includes age-appropriate information about depression that parents can share with their children, elementary age through college.
Abby, thank you for sharing this potentially lifesaving guide with them. — NANCY TYLER, SENIOR EDITOR, USA.GOV
DEAR NANCY: that last two weeks or You’re welcome. I’m more are significant. They glad you wrote because may include sensitivity to I receive many letters criticism and outbursts of from worried parents and anger, sadness, headaches depressed young people. or stomachaches, changes I know the online guide in sleep or eating habits, will provide important lower grades and withdrawal information they will find from people and useful. activities.
Risk factors for depression If you think your child in young people might be suicidal, contact include stressful life the National Suicide Prevention events, such as a family Lifeline by calling member’s divorce or 1-800-273-8255. It offers death, bullying, trouble confidential help 24 hours with school or friends, a day. low self-esteem or a disability To read more Dear or chronic illness. Abby online, go to times Symptoms of depression freepress.com/news/life.