Overview
Depression is a serious mood disorder that can take the joy from a child's life. It's typical for a child to be moody or sad at times, such as after the death of a pet. But if these feelings last for weeks or months, they may be a sign of depression.
Depression screening is a quick way for a healthcare provider to see if your child has symptoms of depression. This screening is often part of a routine checkup. That's because your child's mental health is just as important as their physical health.
Screening for depression helps find depression early. And early treatment may help people recover faster. Talk to your healthcare provider if you or your child has symptoms of depression.
During screening
Your teen or older child may be asked some questions or asked to fill out a form about their depression symptoms. It's important for your child to be honest about how they are feeling. The healthcare provider and your child will talk about the answers. The healthcare provider may ask you or your child more questions to learn more about how your child thinks, acts, and feels.
The healthcare provider may want to know about things like:
- Grouchiness.
- Lost interest in activities that used to be fun.
- Changes in appetite.
- Weight gain or loss.
- Sleeping more or less than usual.
- Not wanting to spend time with friends or family, and more.
Teens and older children with depression may also have other issues. These might be anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or an eating disorder. The healthcare provider may ask questions about these things too.
After screening
If your child has symptoms of depression, the healthcare provider will talk to you about your options.
Healthcare providers usually treat depression with counselling or medicines. Often, combining the two works best. Many people think that they'll get over the depression on their own, or they worry about what others will think of them if they get help. But people with depression may not get better unless they get treatment. It's a medical condition. And it isn't your child's fault or your fault.
It's important to know that depression can be treated. The first step toward feeling better is often just seeing that the condition exists.
A serious symptom of depression is thinking about death or suicide.
Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If your child talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away.
- Call or text Canada's suicide and crisis hotline at 988.
- Call the AHS Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642.
- Call the Distress Centre: 1-403-266-HELP (4357).
- Call Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 (4 p.m. to midnight ET).
- Kids or teens can call Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.
- Go to the Talk Suicide Canada website at https://talksuicide.ca or the Kids Help Phone website at https://kidshelpphone.ca for more information.
Consider saving these numbers in your phone.
