How to Prevent Depression in Children
by Depression in children is as real as it is for teens and adults. While the rate of depression in children is lower than for teens and adults, it is possible for preschoolers to suffer from depression and it is not unusual to find symptoms of depression in children aged from six to 12. From ages nine to 12, it is thought that 12 percent of children can suffer from depression.
Knowing how to prevent depression in children you’re responsible for can help to ensure that they don’t suffer from this debilitating mental health illness and give them a firmer grounding for dealing with their emotions early on. While there is no guarantee that a child won’t get depression, a child whose parents or guardians are actively on the alert for preventing depression can do a lot to keep it at bay or deal with it should it arise.
Be aware that children will often try to mask things that hurt them. Children can be prone to covering their anger or sadness by putting on a brave, tough, or aggressive front to cope better. This can make it harder to tell that they are suffering from depression and they may indeed receive many other labels instead (such as “naughty”, “misbehaving”, “difficult”, etc.), an approach that simply makes things worse for them.
Listen to your child. It can be very easy to get caught up in day-to-day living and to forget how important it is to listen to the children in our care. They are honest, forthright, and speak as they see things. What they have to say will tell you much about their state of feelings should you be prepared to listen carefully and often. Avoid brushing off their concerns; instead, be prepared to speak openly with them at the time that they raise issues. If it isn’t the right time, simply say that the two of you need to talk about the matter “after dinner”, or “later today” and be sure to follow up when you said you would
- Avoid making comments like “that’s silly” or “that’s your own fault”. These sorts of dismissive comments can quickly build into a sense of worthlessness and blame.
- As part of your active listening, be alert to the things your child is not saying and be prepared to raise topics that a child may find embarrassing or difficult to raise themselves. This can help to remove the mask of superficial confidence when they have been hurt or scared by something or someone
Establish routine and predictability in your child’s life. A major factor for triggering depression is when routines are messed up and children no longer feel that they’re able to predict what is about to happen next. Even if you’re in the middle of great change, be sure to maintain as many routines as possible that the child can relate to and follow with ease. Things like the same bedtime, the same breakfast time, and ensuring that homework is completed during a set time, are all things that can be maintained through most times of the year. Children who are constantly over-tired can become depressed. Be careful about allowing children to stay up late during vacation time; if you notice tiredness becoming an issue, ensure that regular bedtimes are reinstalled.
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