Depression in children and teens

Is your child struggling with depression?

Children with depression can often feel anxious, or persistently low, but depression is treatable. Everyone can feel up and down and going through these emotions is a normal part of growing up and part of life, and can be an understandable response to something that has happened in someone’s life. However, when a young person is depressed, these low feelings can last longer.

When to seek treatment for depression in children and young people

They have a persistent low mood or unhappiness
They have a sense of worthlessness and inadequacy with a loss of confidence
They have feelings of guilt, anxiety and irritability
A loss of energy, general aches and pains and little motivation to do things
They have a loss of interest and pleasure in day-to-day activities
You notice a changes in appetite – either eating less or more
Sleep disturbance – difficulties getting off to sleep or early morning waking
They have a sense of hopelessness and helplessness about the future
They have expressed thoughts of death and suicide

How does it affect children and young people?

If your child has depression, they may be persistently unhappy, feel hopeless and lose interest in things they used to enjoy. Depression impacts how we feel, think and act. Depression affects children and teens in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms.

Some common signs of depression can be (but not limited to); feeling down, flat or sad, feeling numb or empty, becoming more irritable, avoiding friends, school or social situations, not wanting to do the things that you used to, feeling tired or low in energy, feeling hopeless and negative about yourself, others and future. Sometimes, this depression can also lead to experiences of suicidal thoughts and wanting to self-harm.

Children and Young People’s Psychological Therapists: What Do They Treat and How Can They Help?
What do Onebright offer?
There are different kinds of therapies that can be used to help someone with depression. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a proven type of therapy that has been shown to be effective in helping people of all ages overcome their experiences of depression. This works at helping understand how depression affects your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and learning tools and strategies to help break patterns that may be keeping depression going and helping you take back control. We also offer other therapies that might be helpful, including Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). This is a type of psychotherapy that is based on the principle that relationships and life events can have an impact on mood and that the reverse is also true.
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Benefit/results for child and family
Working with a therapist to face and overcome your difficulties can be a challenging and daunting prospect, but one that can also be extremely rewarding. Working with a therapist, you and/or your child will learn to better understand the difficulties that they are experiencing, and also how to manage and work through them. Working alongside your therapist, you can learn the tools and approaches that work best for you and/or your child to help you take back control and get back to a life that's worth living. Everyone is different and it’s important to work with our team to find the right support for you and/or your child.
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Get started by answering some simple questions below or call 020 8129 0558

Begin your journey

The Onebright client liaison team are available Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm (excluding bank holidays).
Your child must be aged 5-17 years to access our therapy services.
Your child’s assessment will cost £100 (this includes consultation and report).
After your assessment, if your child is recommended for therapy, this will cost £150 per appointment.

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