What a Parent Can Do

    • Spend time with your child. Be caring, and listen in order to understand your child’s feelings. Play with him, talk about his future, and focus on his positive behavior.

    • Take time on a regular basis to help your child find and participate in recreational activities.

    • Assist your child in maintaining regular or routine physical activity. Physical activity can help relieve or manage depression. Ideas include: walking, running, bicycling, exercising, dancing, yoga, and karate.

    • Help your child to maintain a regular and nutritional diet. Make sure your child is eating meats, fruits and vegetables every day and reduce eating out.

    • Maintain a regular bedtime, and develop a bedtime routine. Your child needs 8 to 10 hours of sleep every night. A sleep routine could include reading, bathing, or listening to soft music, and most importantly going to bed at the same time each night.

    • Talk with your pediatrician to determine any possible medical causes for the concerns you are noticing.

    • Seek out a mental health professional if the symptoms of depression are severe. 

    • Evaluate drug use. Drugs that are not medically appropriate or approved by your physician can contribute to depression.