Introduction

1 in 20 teenagers are depressed. The reality is that children do have plenty of cares. At least 2% of children under 12 struggle with significant depression and by teenage years this has risen to 5% or 1 in 20. That's at least one depressed child in every classroom.

More than half of the adults who develop depression say they can pinpoint its early symptoms as setting in before the age of 20.
The exact cause is not clear. Depression, whether in adults or children, is poorly understood but some children are more at risk. It's not that surprising a list — children who have a physical illness, who have been abused, who come from a home where there is marital disharmony or family breakdown. There may be a genetic tendency to depression and so there may be adults in the family suffering from the problem.
But there are also many simpler worries which can add to the risk of depression or trigger an episode, such as exam fears.

By Dr. Trisha Macnair
www.bbc.co.uk/health/features/children_depression.html

Definitions

Depression is a medical condition that leads to intense feelings of sadness or despair. These feelings don't go away on their own. They are not necessarily related to a particular life event.

Readings
Readings available on this site:

Finding depression behind aggression
http://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cycol-0700-mckay.html

Cries for help: A literature review of the psychological effects of child maltreatment
http://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cycol-0302-mcpherson.html

Kids Don't Get Depressed? In Your Dreams
http://www.cyc-net.org/today/today010618.html

Children in the Dark
http://www.cyc-net.org/today/today010315.html

Quarter of Canada's children at risk — study
http://www.cyc-net.org/today/today021015.html

Emotional distress leads children to doubt their competence
http://www.cyc-net.org/today/today030305.html
 

Journals:

Relational Child and Youth Care. Vol.16 No.2
Depression and Suicide Ideations in Youth with Substance Use Problems

Reclaiming children & youth. Vol.9 No.3
The Link Between Body Issues and Behavioral Problems

References and books:

Depression