The most recent Liahona poses a poignant question: How do I support a child who is feeling depressed?
Depression can occur at nearly any age, and as the Liahona points out, it may look different for children and youth than it does for adults. Parents and other concerned loved ones can identify symptoms of depression in children and learn tools for helping them feel better.
The Liahona offers a list of possible symptoms of depression in a child. This includes boredom, significant changes in behavior, complaining of aches and pains with no physical source, and not caring about the future. The article is quick to point out, however, that parents don’t need to feel like it’s their fault or that they have done something wrong if their child is depressed.
“Remember that depression doesn’t always start because of what someone did, and it can’t be stopped by telling the child to stop feeling depressed. Depression in children often comes from feeling overwhelmed,” the article says.
The article also provides a helpful list of actions parents can take to help their children. These suggestions range from offering more expressions of love to your child to potentially seeking professional help. Another way to help a child overcome depression is by adding more structure to their life. This can be done by going to bed and getting up at the same time each day, eating meals as a family every day, and being physically active.
To learn more ways to recognize and minister to a child dealing with depression, see the August issue of the Liahona.
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