About Depression and Suicide

All of us, including children and adolescents, have times during our lives when we feel sad or depressed and it is normal to feel that way sometimes. A depressed mood can be linked to specific events or it can be biologically based or it can be a combination of both.

You can tell when normal feelings have gone beyond “normal” when the feelings go on for an extended period of time; the feelings continue to get worse; things that have worked in the past to help relieve these feelings aren’t working; and/or the feelings interfere with day-to-day functioning.

These signs may indicate depression:

• Low self-esteem
• Anger management problems or preoccupation with violence
• Irritating, fighting with or withdrawing from friends, teachers and/or parents
• Refusing to go to school
• Behaving to get negative attention
• Doing poorly or dropping out of school
• Becoming pregnant early in life
• Increased physical health problems
• Becoming a smoker
• Abusing alcohol or drugs
• Threatening suicide or homicide

So what do you do if you recognize the signs? Talk with the child/youth about your concerns. Remove access to any lethal means and arrange for an evaluation by a mental health professional. The sooner depression is evaluated, the easier it is to treat.