Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world as we know it has changed immensely. Young children have had to change their lifestyles quite drastically to adhere to the strict quarantining rules. Whether your child is entering into daycare or graduating from elementary school, much of their lives have been affected by social isolation. From cancelled activities to limited-to-no time spent with friends, your child may be struggling to stay positive.
Depending on the circumstances and life stressors, children are known to develop depression in their early years. While most children are known to be quite expressive in their emotions, the signs and symptoms of depression are very different. Although sadness, anger, and stress are all normal emotions for a youngin’, certain patterns may develop over time that parents should become aware of.
Keep in mind that while depression is a serious illness that should be identified and managed early, it is treatable. After identifying the signs and symptoms associated with childhood depression, you’re able to engage in healthy coping strategies with your child to help build their confidence, enhance their mood, and provide them hope for the future.
How Common is Childhood Depression?
Depression is a common mental illness that is more prevalent in adolescent teenagers and young adults. Over the past couple of decades, there have been emerging studies in the area of childhood depression to confirm that it does in fact exist. While some studies have proven that symptoms of depression may appear during preschool ages (before 6), there is evidence that proves it can affect children as young as 3 years old.
It’s been found that the children who are at the highest risk of developing depression either have a family history, have experienced upsetting events to trigger their depression (such as the Covid-19 pandemic), or a combination of both. Based on the current circumstances, it’s understandable that the uncertainty that’s happening all around us has affected how our children are processing the world.
While 2018/2019 statistics have stated that 20% of Canadian children are affected by mental illness, commonly being anxiety and depression, this number is not representing the entire picture of this pandemic.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Depression in Children
Similar to adult depression, children can experience a wide range of symptoms that are likely to persist for 2 or more weeks. Although symptoms may vary from one child to another, childhood depression is often left undiagnosed or untreated because it’s passed off as ‘normal emotional changes’.
The primary symptoms seen in childhood depression involve extreme sadness, feelings of hopelessness, and continuous mood changes. While sadness is a normal emotion expressed in young kids, the persistent sadness that interferes with normal social activity or interests is suggestive of depression.
The most common signs and symptoms recognized in childhood depression include:
- Irritability or anger
- Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- Social withdrawing
- Changes in sleep or appetite (either too much or too little)
- Continuous outbursts and crying
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue and low energy
- Physical complaints (stomach aches, headaches, etc)
- Reduced interest in previously enjoyed activities and hobbies
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Thoughts of death or suicide
What Parents Can Do to Help Their Kids
1. Help children feel comfortable talking about their feelings
This is a critical step in managing childhood depression. Without being given a safe and non-judgemental space to speak their mind, your child may be bottling up their emotions over time. It’s important to foster a family environment and encourage everyone to feel comfortable sharing their feelings without being interrupted.
It’s helpful to plan a time every day or a few days a week to sit down with your child and explore how they are doing. With all the stress and uncertainty in the world around us right now, it’s important to create space and time for your children to bring forward their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Be patient with the process and give them the time they need to engage in conversation.
Not only is it necessary to get to the root of your childs’ problems, whether it’s feeling boredom, guilt, or so on, but it also helps to make them feel that their emotions are heard, validated, and understood. Let them know you’re there, and you’re listening without trying to “fix” any of the problems.
2. Keep your child engaged with positive outlets
- Practice tolerating uncertainty: Now more than ever, children are being challenged to navigate through incredibly uncertain times due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Practicing mindfulness can keep your child feeling present in the moment which can help to minimize the fear and anxiety for the future.
- Stay Active: encouraging your child to stay physically active can put them into a much healthier headspace. Exercise is proven to improve mental health through the release of ‘feel-good’ chemicals known as endorphins. These chemicals are related to a positive mood and enhanced sense of well-being.
- Make plans: Making a plan ahead of time to encourage positive engagement with friends, family, or the community can be incredibly helpful for your child. Check into your local community classes such as painting, dance lessons, or cooking groups. Also, you can help schedule a weekly Facetime group with their friends from school. The act of making and accomplishing plans can help your child feel less hopeless by staying more connected to the people around them.
- Focus on gratitude: Spending time each day to focus on gratitude can be incredibly life-changing for anyone, including your child. This helps to keep the good thoughts and feelings in perspective, giving your child more optimism. Consider making a gratitude list and adding 1-2 points to it each night — your child may be surprised how much good is in their world right now.
3. Consider psychotherapy counselling
Also known as talk or behaviour therapy, psychotherapy is a way to address mental health concerns with a trusted counsellor. With young children, this type of counselling involves more games and conversation while playing. These sessions are used to help children and adolescents work through their emotions and learn to express how they are feeling through their words. Psychotherapy also provides the child with tools on how to respond to changes in emotions and new healthy behavioural and coping strategies to use.
