Depression in young people

Feeling sad or moody from time to time is a normal part of life. Young people often feel worried or low around events such as exams, arguments with family or friends, changing schools or moving house. Usually these feelings pass. Sometimes, though, the sadness lasts for weeks or months and starts to affect everyday life.

When a young person feels miserable most of the time and finds it hard to get motivated, they may be experiencing depression. Depression is a serious illness that can affect people of all ages, and it should be taken seriously. Like everyone, young people can have occasional mood swings, feel irritable at times, and be especially sensitive to rejection and criticism. These reactions on their own are not the same as depression.

Recognising depression#

If low mood and changes in behaviour have lasted for two weeks or more, a young person may have depression. Signs to watch for include:

• feeling irritable, grumpy, tired or worthless much of the time
• losing interest in friends, hobbies or activities they used to enjoy
• trouble sleeping, or sleeping much more than usual
• changes in appetite or weight
• difficulty concentrating, lower marks at school, or feeling that everything is too hard
• withdrawing from family and friends
• neglecting personal hygiene
• using cigarettes, alcohol or other drugs
• risk-taking behaviour
• thoughts of death, self-harm or suicide

Sometimes there are no obvious signs, but parents and carers may notice changes in behaviour that suggest something is wrong. These changes should not be ignored.

When safety is a concern#

If a young person is self-harming or talking about suicide, it is important that they talk with close, trusted people in their lives, such as family or friends. To help keep them safe:

• remove dangerous items, such as medication or anything that could be used as a weapon
• stay with them or make sure they are not alone
• support them to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible

If they need to talk to someone right away, encourage them to contact a crisis support line (see the resources below).

In case of an emergency, call your local emergency number (for example 911 in the US and Canada, 112 across the EU and many countries, 999 in the UK, or 000 in Australia) and ask for help#

What causes depression#

Depression is a mental illness and one of the most common health problems among young people. There is no single cause. Life events, hormones, chemical changes in the brain and genetics can all play a part, and the balance differs from person to person.

Every young person responds to life events in their own way. Some circumstances that can contribute to anxiety and depression include:

• conflict with family or friends
• changing schools or starting secondary school
• being bullied
• a relationship break-up
• the recent death of someone close
• abuse or neglect

In all cases, it is important that depression is recognised and treated early, with the focus on treatment rather than only on the causes.

Getting help and treatment#

Encourage young people to talk about how they feel with someone they know and trust, such as a parent, teacher, school counsellor, family member or friend. An important next step is to visit a doctor to find out whether they have depression and what can be done to treat it.

Support for people with depression can include:

• psychological therapy that builds skills to manage life stresses and to change negative thinking patterns
• lifestyle changes, such as establishing regular exercise and sleep routines

A doctor may also add antidepressant medication to the treatment plan. It can take up to six weeks to feel better after starting medication, but most young people will notice an improvement. Encourage them to speak with their doctor about any changes in their mood.

Self-help and everyday wellbeing#

Things that can support mental health include:

• exercising regularly
• eating healthy food
• practising relaxation techniques
• doing something enjoyable each day
• speaking regularly with trusted friends and family
• engaging in creative pursuits, such as painting or song writing
• setting small, achievable goals

Many people find it hard to ask for professional help, and some young people may not want to see a healthcare professional. If this happens, you could let them know that depression is common and that you are concerned about them. Sharing reliable information about depression, and pointing them to trusted websites and to online or telephone counselling services for young people, can make it easier for them to take the next step.

Key points#

• Depression is one of the major risk factors for suicide and self-harm in young people, so it should be taken seriously.
• If symptoms and behaviour changes last two weeks or more, a young person may have depression.
• There is no single cause; life events, hormones, brain chemistry and genetics can all contribute.
• Treatment can include psychological therapy, lifestyle changes and, in some cases, antidepressant medication.
• Talking to a trusted person and seeing a doctor are important first steps.

Where to get help and trusted information#

For evidence-based global health guidance, see Source: World Health Organization (WHO).