Support for Parents
Depression can result from several sources, including:
• too much pressure
-feeling pressure to live up to others' expectations
• loneliness
-feeling unpopular with peers
-being picked on for being different
-difficulty making friends due to introversion
• dependence on extrinsic motivation
• extreme competitiveness
-attempting unrealistic goals and ending up frustrated
• perfectionism
-difficulties dealing with failure
Source: Alberta Learning, Alberta, Canada THE JOURNEY Pg.56-57
Actions You Can Take
Offer support: let them know you are there for them
Be gentle & persistent: don't give up if your teen shuts you out. Respect your child’s comfort level while still emphasizing your concern/willingness to listen.
Listen without lecturing: It is important your child communicates. Resist criticism when they talk. Avoid unsolicited advice and ultimatums.
Validate feelings: don't try talking them out of depression, just acknowledge your teen's feelings.
These tips and more about teen depression can be found at: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/llw/depression_screen.cfm
-get them involved in activities they enjoy
-break up large projects into smaller tasks
-spend time with them and encourage them to spend time with friends
Sources:
http://ideas.education.alberta.ca/hsc/parent-info/cant-handle-it
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm
http://childparenting.about.com/cs/disorders/a/childdepression.htm
http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/Disorders/ChildDepression.html
Additional Helpful Resources
Parentbooks: Depression Resources for Kids & Teens
If your child is going through depression or knows someone who is going through depression, it is worth taking a look at some books that are made specifically for children and teens. Parentbooks has many books that you may find useful.
http://www.parentbooks.ca/Depression_Resources_for_Kids_&_Teens.html
Grip on Life
Grip on Life is an online resource with real-life depression stories and information and more. It is written by teens, for teens.
http://griponlife.ca/grip/index.php
Live Your Life Well
From Mental Health America, Live Your Life Well gives many tips on how to live better (how to reduce stress, feel better about self, take care of self)
http://www.liveyourlifewell.org/go/live-your-life-well/ways
Alberta Education Student Health Initiative
Student Health (formerly known as Student Health Initiative) is a joint endeavour of Alberta Education, Health, and Human Services. These provincial government partners work collaboratively to support local partnerships to strengthen the province's collective capacity to support students with special health needs.
The goals of Student Health are:
Contact:
Attn: Provincial Coordinator, Student Health
Alberta Education
Cross-Ministry Services
44 Capital Blvd.
10044 - 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5E6
Source: http://www.education.alberta.ca/admin/healthandsafety/studenthealth.aspx
Mood Disorders Society of Canada
Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) is a national, not for profit, consumer driven, voluntary health charity committed to ensuring that the voices of consumers, family members and caregivers are heard on issues relating to mental health and mental illness; and in particular with regard to depression, bipolar illness and other associated mood disorders.
MDSC was formally launched and incorporated in 2001 with the overall objective to provide people with mood disorders with a strong, cohesive voice at the national level to improve access to treatment, inform research, shape program development and government policies to improve the quality of life for people affected by mood disorders.
Source: http://www.mooddisorderscanada.ca/
• too much pressure
-feeling pressure to live up to others' expectations
• loneliness
-feeling unpopular with peers
-being picked on for being different
-difficulty making friends due to introversion
• dependence on extrinsic motivation
• extreme competitiveness
-attempting unrealistic goals and ending up frustrated
• perfectionism
-difficulties dealing with failure
Source: Alberta Learning, Alberta, Canada THE JOURNEY Pg.56-57
Actions You Can Take
- Look for possible environmental causes. (grief, substance abuse by family members, physical/emotional/sexual abuse, difficulty learning, peer interaction, etc)
- Contact yourchild's teacher, school counselor or principal to discuss the concerns. Work with others to offer your child the support they need.
- Talk to your child: Build self esteem in your child.
Offer support: let them know you are there for them
Be gentle & persistent: don't give up if your teen shuts you out. Respect your child’s comfort level while still emphasizing your concern/willingness to listen.
Listen without lecturing: It is important your child communicates. Resist criticism when they talk. Avoid unsolicited advice and ultimatums.
Validate feelings: don't try talking them out of depression, just acknowledge your teen's feelings.
These tips and more about teen depression can be found at: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/llw/depression_screen.cfm
- Help your child feel better about themselves:
-get them involved in activities they enjoy
-break up large projects into smaller tasks
-spend time with them and encourage them to spend time with friends
- Get professional help.
- Treatment may include antidepressants. Work with specialists to determine if antidepressants are needed and monitor use.
Sources:
http://ideas.education.alberta.ca/hsc/parent-info/cant-handle-it
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm
http://childparenting.about.com/cs/disorders/a/childdepression.htm
http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/Disorders/ChildDepression.html
Additional Helpful Resources
Parentbooks: Depression Resources for Kids & Teens
If your child is going through depression or knows someone who is going through depression, it is worth taking a look at some books that are made specifically for children and teens. Parentbooks has many books that you may find useful.
http://www.parentbooks.ca/Depression_Resources_for_Kids_&_Teens.html
Grip on Life
Grip on Life is an online resource with real-life depression stories and information and more. It is written by teens, for teens.
http://griponlife.ca/grip/index.php
Live Your Life Well
From Mental Health America, Live Your Life Well gives many tips on how to live better (how to reduce stress, feel better about self, take care of self)
http://www.liveyourlifewell.org/go/live-your-life-well/ways
Alberta Education Student Health Initiative
Student Health (formerly known as Student Health Initiative) is a joint endeavour of Alberta Education, Health, and Human Services. These provincial government partners work collaboratively to support local partnerships to strengthen the province's collective capacity to support students with special health needs.
The goals of Student Health are:
- To improve access to integrated health and related services for children and youth with special health and support needs registered in school programs.
- To enable children and youth with health and support related needs to be successful in their school programs.
Contact:
Attn: Provincial Coordinator, Student Health
Alberta Education
Cross-Ministry Services
44 Capital Blvd.
10044 - 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5E6
Source: http://www.education.alberta.ca/admin/healthandsafety/studenthealth.aspx
Mood Disorders Society of Canada
Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) is a national, not for profit, consumer driven, voluntary health charity committed to ensuring that the voices of consumers, family members and caregivers are heard on issues relating to mental health and mental illness; and in particular with regard to depression, bipolar illness and other associated mood disorders.
MDSC was formally launched and incorporated in 2001 with the overall objective to provide people with mood disorders with a strong, cohesive voice at the national level to improve access to treatment, inform research, shape program development and government policies to improve the quality of life for people affected by mood disorders.
Source: http://www.mooddisorderscanada.ca/