Depression/ Low Mood

Children and young people can and do suffer from depression, which affects mood. They may feel sad and low, but sometimes depression and sadness can be masked by anger or another emotion. This may be in response to a significant event or trauma or there may not be a discernible trigger. Adolescence is a particularly vulnerable time where young people might develop depression, but it can affect anybody at any age, from any background, race, sex or gender.

Symptoms might include:

  • Eating more or less than normal.
  • Sleeping more or less than normal
  • Feelings hopeless
  • Wishing your weren’t here
  • Self-criticism
  • Thoughts of self-harm
  • No energy
  • Avoiding people/ isolating oneself
  • Not wanting to do things previously enjoyed
  • Easily irritable
  • Crying for no apparent reason
  • Feeling emotionally numb.

For more information about Depression, please see the following links:

Depression in children and young people – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Depression in children and young people – for young people| Royal College of Psychiatrists (rcpsych.ac.uk)

Depression & Low Mood | Signs, Symptoms & Treatment | YoungMinds

Depression | Signs & Symptoms of Depression | YoungMinds