Top Picks- Here’s what you need to know about Child and Adolescent Depression Management

I am Lina Ashar and I want to jointly explore the power of parenting with you. Join me on my journey to educate our children in unlocking their extraordinary human potential.

Childhood Bullying Linked Strongly To Adult Depression, Study Finds: [Forbes] In recent years, bullying has come into the spotlight as a major contributor to mental health problems in young people. According to stopbullying.gov, up to 28% of kids aged 6–12 have experienced bullying, and 20% of high school students have, though other studies have reported considerably higher numbers. There are consistent links between bullying and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety, and even more heartbreaking, suicide, as kids age. A new study tells us more about the connection between childhood bullying and early adulthood depression. And the one seems to contribute significantly to the other.

A Journey in Mental Health, Understanding the Needs of Your Child: [TED Talks] Watch Miryam Utset share the story of how her son suffered from a mental health illness. She describes her experience of standing up for her son and going against societal norms. Miryam hopes to one day end the mental health stigma and allow those suffering from any mental health illnesses to feel comfortable enough to share their stories.

A New Behavioral Therapy Helps Kids With Depression — And Their Parents: [Forbes] The reality that little children — as young as three years old — can suffer from depression is pretty startling. What’s more, there seems to be a dearth of behavioral treatments, or at least effective ones may not be used often enough. Medications are sometimes favored, but these can carry serious risks for children and teens. A new study from Washington University School of Medicine finds an 18-week intervention, involving both young children and their parents, can reduce and even reverse the symptoms of depression. How long the treatment lasts is the next question — but the hope is that it can change the trajectory of a child’s mental health over the long-term.

Adolescent Depression: What Parents Can Do To Help: [American Academy of Pediatrics] What is adolescent depression?

Depression may be present when your teenager has:

• A sad or irritable mood for most of the day. Your teen may say they feel sad or angry or may look more tearful or cranky.
• Not enjoying things that used to make your child happy.
• A marked change in weight or eating, either up or down.

Depression in Children: [FirstCry Parenting] Depression can occur in people of all ages. It is defined as a low mood that is marked with apathy, sadness and an aversion to things that ordinarily bring joy to the affected person. Learning to identify the signs and symptoms of depression is the first step towards seeking a diagnosis and eventually treatment aimed at recovery.