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Emotional:

• feeling sad or “downâ€� most of the time
• unusual irritability or crankiness
• negative thoughts about themselves or their life
• increased feelings of worry or anxiety
• feeling guilty or worthless
• thoughts about self-harm or death.

Behavioural:

• loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy, like hobbies or playing with friends
• withdrawing from family and friends
• difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things
• sudden changes in school performance
• unusual mood swings throughout the day.

Physical:

• changes in eating habits, like eating much more or less than usual
• unexplained weight gain or loss
• sleeping more or less than usual, or having more nightmares
• regular stomach or head-aches.

Emotional:

• more frequent “temper tantrumsâ€� or intense bad moods
• mood changes depending on the of the day.

Behavioural signs:

• being clingier than usual
• needing more or constant reassurance from parents and carers.

Emotional:

• ongoing negative thoughts that are hard to shake off, like negative self-image or thoughts of self-harm or death
• difficulty focusing on tasks or making decisions.
• feeling empty or numb
• anger or irritability that seems out of character
• low interest in social activities, friends and relationships.

Behavioural:

• significant changes in academic performance.
• withdrawing from activities and friendships.

Depression can develop from a range of different factors, including:

• traumatic life events â€� like a death in the family or not having housing
• abuse
• family history of mental health issues
• ongoing or severe medical conditions
• changes in family dynamics like divorce or a parent or a sibling who is also unwell
• school stress
• bullying.

Children can have a higher risk of developing depression if they:

• are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• are a refugee or asylum seeker
• have other health conditions, like Autism, ADHD, mental illness or disability.

Some children can develop depression without any clear cause. Depression is not your child or teenagers fault.

Your child or teenager will need good support from family and friends at home, as well as treatment from health professionals.

Support at home can include:

• emotional support, like talking to and listening to your child, validating their feelings and giving them comfort
• reassuring your child and not criticising them, even if their behaviour is difficult
• encouraging healthy habits, like regular sleep, eating nutritious food, drinking water and doing some level of physical activity
• trying to keep a consistent daily routine
• encouraging them to take part in activities and hobbies that they enjoy, at a level they feel comfortable with.

Supporting a child or teenager with depression can be difficult for parents and carers to manage. It is important to make sure you are also taking care of yourself and seeking professional health for your own mental and physical health.

Ask your child’s doctor or treatment team about professional support and support groups for parents and carers.

Children and teenagers with depression may talk about thoughts of suicide, death and self-harm in different ways, for example:

• “Life is bad, and I feel like giving up.â€�
• “I don’t want to be here anymoreâ€�
• “Nobody will miss me.â€�
• “Life is not worth livingâ€�.

It can be scary and upsetting to hear your child talk like this about themselves. Thoughts or words about suicide, death and self-harm are an emergency. Seek immediate help by contacting:

• your child’s doctor or treatment team
• Triple zero (000) for an ambulance
• your local emergency department
• services like Lifeline on 131 114

It is important to be gentle and patient with your child when they communicate these feelings to you. Try not to panic, get angry, or criticise your child.

Give your child comfort and reassurance and seek help immediately.