Mental Health in Children and Adolescents - Depression is on the Rise

Mental Health in Children and Adolescents - Depression is on the Rise

Depression among children and adolescents has been on the rise for some time, but has only been taken seriously in the last twenty to thirty years. While it is normal for young people to experience mood swings or sad days, clinically depressed youths may represent as much as five percent of the population. Improved diagnostic techniques and parental awareness have helped to expose this problem, and open the doors for more children to receive psychiatric treatment of childhood depression.

Unfortunately there is no single cause that has been identified for depression. It is known that there is a higher occurrence within specific families, supporting the idea that genetics might be a factor contributing to the biochemical causes of this serious illness. When a predisposition forMental Health in Children and Adolescents - Depression is on the Rise depression is compounded with environmental and social factors early in life, the symptoms of this illness may surface in childhood.

Currently, we have a social environment that has a greater number of psychosocial influences than in previous eras. The argument could be made that this particular point in time has no more negative influences than prior periods. Even accepting that premise, the situation is exacerbated in new ways by the continual flow of information via the media and the internet. Current consensus is that low self-esteem is probably the single biggest factor, or at least occurs regularly within the symptoms of this childhood illness. The influence of viewing one's self negatively helps create a pessimistic worldview. The deluge of information regarding negative current events magnifies their pressure on children and adolescents.

In an economic climate with significant unemployment, there is an impact on the children and teens in affected households. The stressors of having one or both parents not working will only compound the child's lowered self-esteem and accompanying pessimism. The lack of discretionary income will filter down to children and impinge on their ability to pursue activities with their peers, along with a whole set of social problems. If the economics of the family situation extend to losing the family home, the blow to the children's view of themselves and their place in the world can be enormous. The uncertainty and displacement they experience are factors that will come into play for any child that has a tendency toward depression.

Growing up can be difficult in the best of times. Between peer pressures and parental expectations, the formative years can become a crucible of forces that adversely affect a child's sense of self. With economic uncertainty and social issues compounding the stress, the problem becomes more acute. Thus, the rates of mental health issues occurring in youth are likely to continue increasing. Fortunately, early diagnosis has become more common as the population becomes more aware of the symptoms. Psychiatric treatment of childhood depression has expanded. 

Support options for the parents and families of these kids have also become more readily available. These factors will combine to help children and adolescents overcome the symptoms of childhood depression, giving them the opportunity to succeed in their social and behavioral functioning, academics, and their future life as they reach adulthood.