6 VITALITY Fall 2024 Kids have a lot on their minds. It’s normal for them to feel troubled, sad and negative at times. However, if these feelings persist longer than usual or seem especially intense for your child, you may wonder if they are experiencing depression. What is depression? Depression is a common disorder. In fact, 1 in 5 teens has depression at some point. It’s less common in younger children, but it’s still a serious condition at any age. Symptoms of depression in children and teens include: ● Feeling sad and irritable most of the time. ● Losing interest in activities. ● Eating or sleeping a lot more, or a lot less, than usual. ● Having trouble concentrating. ● Being more withdrawn and quieter than usual. ● Lacking motivation for homework, chores or other tasks. ● Feeling hopeless or worthless. ● Crying frequently. ● Using drugs or alcohol. ● Showing signs of self-harm, such as cuts, burns or bruises. Depression symptoms typically occur every day and last longer If you suspect that your teen is at risk for suicide, dial 988 to reach the and depression Children
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