Depression
Childhood depression is a serious mental health condition that can have a significant impact on emotional, social, and academic well-being. While it may be difficult to recognize, it is important to address it early to help your child get the support they need.
When your child is depressed, you may notice them crying more often and isolating from friends and ‘fun’ activities. Your depressed child feels empty, irritable, and incredibly tired. Moving through every day is exhausting and things that once excited them no longer seem to bring them any joy. Trying to stay on task with school, extracurriculars and friends while managing intense moods is too overwhelming.
Children who are experiencing depression may experience:
sadness
excessive irritability
isolation
lack of energy/effort
difficulty concentrating at school
sudden weight gain or loss
low self-esteem
being socially withdrawn
trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping
sudden loss of interest in activities
thought of death or self harm
Depression can also affect the way a child sees themselves and the world around them. They may become increasingly self-critical, feel like a burden, or believe they are “not good enough,” even when those thoughts don’t reflect reality. These internal struggles can make it hard for them to talk about what they’re feeling, leading them to keep everything inside. Over time, this emotional weight can interfere with friendships, motivation, and their sense of hope for the future.
At Thrive, we help children understand that what they’re feeling is not their fault—and that depression is something they can learn to manage with the right support. Through gentle guidance, coping strategies, and a safe space to talk openly, children can regain confidence and reconnect with the things that bring them joy. Our goal is to help your child rebuild resilience and feel empowered again, one step at a time.
We can work to help your child express difficult feelings and learn the skills necessary to feel happy and make healthy choices. Your teen doesn't have to go through life feeling lonely or misunderstood.
