Nanny to Mommy

Being a parent is all things. It’s hard and it’s fun. It’s terrifying and it’s rewarding. This is normal. Yet there will be times when you feel that you don’t know what to do, and no one seems to be able to help. One of these times could be when your child seems to have the signs and symptoms of depression. If this is the case, you might be scared and feel like you can't do anything to help. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to help your child. Read on to find out more.

The first thing to do if you think your child is experiencing signs of depression is to talk to them. Try to work out what the problem is. Are they upset about something in particular (which could mean they’re not suffering from depression as such, but are just in a low mood), or is this a constant issue, and they don’t know why they feel bad? Understanding this will help you determine how serious the problem is and what steps to take next.

More than this, though, talking to your child without judgment and without trying to have all the answers shows your love and support for them. Although this won’t ‘cure’ depression, it’s a solid basis to start working from, and if your child has no doubt about the fact that you are there for them, this can help hugely.

One thing is for sure when it comes to depression; you cannot deal with it alone, and neither can your child. Remember, this is a medical condition, and therefore a medical professional’s advice and help should be sought. Your first port of call is your doctor, who will then be able to refer you to other professionals, such as therapists, if that help is required.

There are other measures you can take as well, depending on the issues involved, the age of the child, and the advice given by the professionals you have spoken to. One of these additional ideas could be to send your daughter to the Eva Carlston Academy. This specialist school is dedicated to helping teenagers with depression and other mental health conditions.

Talk to your child's teacher about problems your child is having emotionally. You might also get help from the school nurse or guidance counselor. You can also check with them to see if they've noticed any changes in how your child acts and ask the school what they have for students who are having trouble.

Even if the school hasn’t noticed anything wrong, alerting them to the fact that there could be a problem is important. It will make them more diligent, and they will be able to think about your child’s behavior differently, offering up a different perspective.

Ultimately, there is no quick fix when it comes to depression, no matter what age you are. As a parent, if your child has depression, one of the best things you can do is to be kind and patient. Don’t get angry when they do, and don’t try to ‘snap them out of it’ (depression doesn’t work that way). Instead, get them as much help as they need and be there for them at all times.