Depression in Children and Teens Sandra Bird & Michaelene Shannon School Board Counsellors October 18, 2014
Goals of Presentation What you need to know about depression Difference between Mental Distress, a Mental Health Problem, and Mental Illness Symptoms of Depression Risk Factors and Causes Treatment Options How Parents/Caregivers Can Help
Statistics Depression does occur in children. It is estimated that 1 in every 33 children may have depression (from kids.org) In 2011 there were 29 deaths by suicide for children ages 10 to 14 In 2011 there were 198 deaths by suicide for teens aged 15 to 19
Difference Between Depression & Sadness
Mental Health States Mental Disorder Mental Health Problem Mental Distress No Distress, Problem or Disorder
Mental Distress Everyone experiences mental distress (some more than others) Mental distress is not prolonged Mental distress is always triggered by an environmental factor It is a signal that adaptation is required Personal & support from family & friends Mental Distress does not require medical treatments Dr. Stan Kutcher, 2012.
Mental Health Problem Young person is not able to cope and use their skills to successfully improve their emotional pain Usually triggered by a painful event Counselling may be helpful Medications rarely considered Most people who experience a mental health problem never go on to develop a mental disorder
Mental Disorder/Illness Substantial & prolonged impairment of functioning For an accurate diagnosis of depression, a detailed clinical evaluation must be done by a medical or mental health professional Requires treatment by a trained health provider
Diagnosis As with adults, depression in children and adolescents can be caused by any combination of factors that relate to physical health, life events, family history, genetic vulnerability, and lowered levels of chemical in the brain that help regulate mood are not working properly For an accurate diagnosis of depression to be made, a detailed clinical evaluation must be done by a medical or mental health professional
More Than Sad: Teen Depression
More Than Sad: Teen Depression
More Than Sad: Teen Depression
Treatment Depression is highly treatable Make an appointment for your child to see their Family Dr. as soon as possible Provide comprehensive details of behaviour changes, concerns, & significant life events Depression requires treatment by trained health providers Depression is commonly treated with a combination of therapy and medication
HOW CAN PARENTS HELP
What To Look For? Difficult to explain aches and pains Loss of interest in usual life activities Loss of pleasure in those things usually found to be pleasurable sense of hopelessness Decreased functioning at home, work, school - poor concentration Social withdrawal from family or friends Thoughts of death/suicide or preparation for death
What to Ask? How are you feeling inside of yourself? How long have you been feeling that way? Have you been feeling down, like nothing really matters, hopeless? What does the way that you feel now prevent you from doing? Are you thinking or feeling that life is not worth living or that you would be better off dead? What have you thought of doing? Dr. Stan Kucher, 2012
Encourage your child to: Exercise 30 min aerobic exercise daily Sleep 9-10 hours per night Regular Bedtime No TV or cell phone in bedroom No computer ½ hour prior to sleeping Consistent daily routine Positive Social Contact Healthy Nutrition
Avoid recreational drugs (teens) Sad or depressed children tend to globalize their problems and engage in negative self-talk Important to help them interpret their environment and their interactions with others in a positive and realistic way.
Some Cognitive Distortions Definition: thoughts that cause an individual to perceive reality negatively; they are inaccurate thoughts that usually reinforce negative thoughts or emotions All or nothing thinking Mind reading Disqualifying the positive Overgeneralization Shoulds Personalization
Sad Cat Diary
Parents Intervene by : Identify & challenge underlying beliefs & assumptions Develop alternative positive explanations (balanced thinking)
For Parents/Caregivers Parenting a child/teen who is suffering depression can be very stressful Seek support to help manage your own feelings
Resources Canadian Mental Health Association: www.cmha.ca KidsHealth.org Kidshelpphone.ca Healthymindscanada.ca Hinks-Dellcrest Centre: www.hincksdellcrest.org Mood Disorders Association of Ontario:www.mooddisorders.ca National Institutes of Mental Health (USA):www.nimh.nih.gov