What We Need To Understand About Depression In Youths

It is hard for some to get their minds around the fact that depression is not just something adults face, it is also something teens suffer from too. In suicidal teens, depression can also be a factor and should be considered when looking at options for youth suicide prevention. As well, it can be behind over reckless and violent behaviour including substance abuse, self-harming, running away from home, dropping out of school and more. Here are some things to help you better understand depression in young people.

Signs of depression

Here are some of the more common signs that a teen may be experiencing depression;

• Fatigue that leads to staying in bed more
• Expressing or displaying feelings of sadness
• Not being eager for the day or for things that once they took pleasure in
• Anger that hangs around and does not just blow over
• A lack of motivation or strength to perform the usual routines
• Changes in those routines, sleeping, eating and such
• Crying more often
• Not communicating with friends and family
• Not wanting to do activities they once enjoyed
• Not being able to focus or concentrate when doing anything

There is a difference between adults and teens

There are some differences between adults and youths who experience depression and there are some differences too in how each should be approached. You can learn more from some of the resources offered by any good suicide prevention charity. Teens are a lot more sensitive to what they might perceive as personal criticism than adults are. This means when you want to talk to them about things there are certain ways you are going to be more successful and certain ways that will certainly make things worse. In terms of signs to look for, teens often have problems with body aches that can add to their mental and physical difficulty. Teens become a lot more withdrawn, though in some this is from family and teachers but not with friends.

Looking for signs is important in youth suicide prevention

By knowing the signs and looking for them you can help prevent the destructive behaviour and spot whether there is an issue of them having suicidal thoughts. If they have joked about doing it, are overly drawn to the idea of death, start to hold onto means of committing suicide, give away belongings, and sound like they are saying goodbye then this is a time to take quick action.

The best way to help teens is to offer them support from yourself and professionally. You can seek help and resources from a suicide prevention charity and also connect with people who are going through the same thing so you are not alone. Treat the teen carefully and listen to them rather than lecturing them. Validate how they are feeling rather than brushing them off as just being emotional. Youth depression is real and ignoring it only puts our young at more risk.

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Created on Sep 19th 2022 01:31. Viewed 55 times.

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