Depression in Children and Teens
October is Depression Awareness Month, a reminder that depression is a medical condition that can seriously impact a person’s mental and physical health. Depression can also affect children and teens, although the illness often goes unrecognized and untreated. Even young children may demonstrate early warning signs such as persistent sadness and disruptive behavior.
In teens, depression can cause problems at school and home. Signs and symptoms of depression may include:
- Emotional changes such as sadness, hopelessness, frustration, irritability, loss of interest in usual activities, low self-esteem, trouble concentrating, social isolation, and conflicts with family and friends.
- Behavioral changes such as fatigue, use of alcohol or other drugs, agitation, sleeping problems such as insomnia or sleeping too much, changes in appetite, body aches and pains, angry outbursts and risky behavior, and self-harm.
Parents may find that it’s difficult to tell the difference between teen depression and the mood changes that are part of the teen years. If depression signs and symptoms continue or interfere with the teen’s quality of life, it’s important to talk to a doctor or mental health professional. There are effective treatments for depression, including medication and therapy.
Mental Health Screening
A mental health assessment gives your doctor a complete picture of your emotional state. It also looks at how well you are able to think, reason, and remember (cognitive functioning). Your doctor will ask you questions and examine you. You might answer some of the doctor's questions in writing. Your doctor will take note of how you look as well as your mood, behavior, thinking, reasoning, and memory, and how well you can express yourself. Your doctor will also ask questions about how you get along with other people. This includes your family and friends. Sometimes the assessment includes lab tests, such as blood or urine tests.
A mental health assessment may be done by your primary care doctor. Or it may be done by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker. The results of your test are confidential.
A mental health assessment for a child is geared to the child's age and stage of development.
Stamp Out Stigma is taking the opportunity this month to bring more awareness to general mental health education, as well as depression awareness. We will be highlighting the importance of educating yourself on mental health conditions and how to help others seek treatment, since there is still a stigma associated with mental illness. It’s our job to help end the stigma surrounding mental health by sharing resources and starting conversations. Throughout the month of October, we encourage your family, friends, and loved ones to learn more about mental illness and what resources are available to help those find treatment. Here are some important facts you should know:
- Only about half of Americans diagnosed with major depression in a given year receive treatment for it and one fifth receive treatment aligned with current practice guidelines.
- In the United States, almost half of adults (46.4 percent) will experience a mental illness during their lifetime.
- The suicide rate among Black youths doubled from 2007 to 2017, Black children under 13 are twice as likely to die by suicide than their white peers.
- Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44.
- Polling indicates that more than half of the people who lost income or employment reported negative MH impacts from worry or stress, which may lead to higher rates of SUD and suicide.
- 45% of adults in the U.S. reported that their mental health has been negatively impacted due to stress and concern over COVID-19.
- A recent study shows that 55% of patients who have survived COVID-19 were diagnosed with at least one psychiatric disorder.
Remember, mental illness does not discriminate. Join us to help bring attention to the importance of sharing mental health stories and help improve the lives of millions of Americans living with a mental illness.
Help is available! Visit www.MagellanHealthcare.com/About/MYMH or contact your program to learn more about how to help yourself or someone you care about.