| Are you the parent of a child who is | | | | I want my children to realise that they |
| often depressed? Are you a child who | | | | can talk to me about any aspect of their |
| often feels down in the dumps and | | | | life and that I will be here to help and |
| depressed? This article offers advice | | | | not judge them. Life in general, with |
| for both parents, other family members | | | | school as an example, can at times be |
| and children about how to deal with, | | | | quite tough, with things such as |
| reduce and even eradicate this | | | | bullying affecting a lot of children. |
| depression. | | | | There is the added pressure of |
| I remember from my own childhood having | | | | examinations and also trying to |
| many periods when I was very unhappy and | | | | establish ones self within a group of |
| sad. I was the type of person who would | | | | friends. Moving schools and going |
| let aspects from my life get on top of | | | | through all of the bodily changes can |
| me which would at times affect my sleep | | | | also be quite uncomfortable for many |
| patterns. I found growing up through | | | | children. |
| childhood, into a teenager and | | | | As a family we try to make our childrens |
| ultimately into my adulthood as one big | | | | home life as enjoyable and relaxed as |
| choir and struggle. I was forever | | | | possible. This includes many family days |
| comparing my own life to that of my | | | | out and where financially possible, a |
| brother, sister and friends. Their lives | | | | family holiday abroad in the summer. |
| seemed so much easier than what mine was | | | | My advice to any parent who has an |
| and this made me feel quite jealous of | | | | unhappy or often depressed child would |
| them. | | | | be to be very patient with them through |
| Looking back one of my faults was that I | | | | these periods. I, as I have already |
| was not willing to discuss my worries | | | | stated would try and get them to talk |
| and fears with my parents and basically | | | | about what is making them feel in this |
| kept them bottled up inside of me. This | | | | way and if they do not want to talk, |
| meant of course that I had to deal with | | | | would let them know that I am there for |
| each and every issue (problem) on my own | | | | them if they do ever want a chat etc. |
| without any outside help or advice. I | | | | My advice for a child who is feeling |
| wish that I had been more open with my | | | | depressed would be to talk to your |
| family as I think my life would have | | | | family, a friend or a teacher. They say |
| been that much happier if I had. | | | | that a problem shared is a problem |
| I am now a parent of two children myself | | | | halved and I really believe in this |
| and am always looking out for them. I | | | | statement. You do not have to be alone |
| try and gage how they are coping with | | | | in this world and the advice that you |
| life and if I feel that they are in an | | | | are given could be of huge benefit to |
| unhappy period or mood, I then attempt | | | | you. Despite what you might think all |
| to find out what is causing this by | | | | children have problems and worry about |
| trying to talk to them. They are not | | | | many different aspects of their own |
| always happy to discuss these issues but | | | | life. Your parents were of course |
| I then make sure that they understand | | | | children many moons ago and may have |
| that I will be here for them when they | | | | experience in the issues which you are |
| are ready to open up. I talk to them | | | | not happy about. Do not make the same |
| about my own childhood and about the | | | | mistakes that I did by keeping these |
| mistakes I feel that I made by keeping | | | | problems to yourself as it does not help |
| my own worries to myself. | | | | to reduce your fears or depression. |