What to Do if Your Child Is Depressed

When a child is suffering from depression, knowing what to do as a parent can feel extremely challenging and elusive. Depression in a child can trigger feelings of anxiety and worry in a parent, as well as frustration and fear. While depression can be very serious and is something that should be addressed immediately, the good news is that with therapy and sometimes other interventions, depression is treatable. Here are some things to do if your child is suffering from depression—

Find Professional Help

One of the most important things that you can do when you recognize the warning signs of depression is to seek professional help for your child. Depression can be a serious condition that greatly impacts your child’s life, wellbeing, and even personal safety in some cases. Take action by contacting a mental health professional near you as soon as possible to provide your child with the resources they need to take action.

Prioritize a Healthy Lifestyle

Healthy lifestyle behaviors can help with depression, so it’s important to model and encourage healthy behaviors at home. This includes things like:

• Enough sleep. For the brain and the body, sleep is one of the most important things. Make sure your child is getting enough sleep by encouraging a consistent bedtime and quiet time before bed that’s technology-free. 
• Exercise. Exercise has multiple benefits, and one of those benefits is the ability of exercise to help combat mental health conditions like depression. Encourage your teen to exercise, whether that’s walking, biking, participating in school/team sports, or something else. 
• Healthy diet. What we eat has a big impact on the bacteria within our gut, which in term impacts our brain! A healthy diet is a key part of treating depression. 

Give Emotional Support

Anyone who is feeling depressed will benefit from the emotional support of loved ones. For parents, it can be exasperating when a child is struggling, but letting those feelings of exasperation show can only exacerbate the problem. Provide emotional support by spending quality time with your child, really listening to them without offering judgment, and acknowledging what they’re going through. 

Call Life Insight Today for the Support You Need

If your child is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional. A mental health professional can provide guidance to both you and your child and offer the support your family needs. At Life Insight, we are here to help you. Reach out to us today by phone or online to learn more about our therapists and schedule your initial appointment.