May 6 is Childhood Depression Awareness Day

National Mental Health Association
Monday, 5 May 2003

Less Than One-Third Of Children and Teens With Depression Receive Treatment

On May 6, Childhood Depression Awareness Day, thousands of children, families, physicians and advocates will be working in communities around the nation to get the word out that childhood depression is real, common and treatable.

"The fact that one in five children have a diagnosable mental health problem but less than a third receive care is cause for alarm," says Michael Faenza, president and CEO of NMHA. "Promoting mental health awareness and knowing the warning signs are essential to improving and even saving young people who may be risk for depression and other mental illnesses."

The symptoms of depression may look different in youth than in adults, and as a result, are often overlooked or misunderstood. Consequences of untreated depression can include social isolation, difficulties at home and school, and an increased risk of suicide.

Warning signs of depression in a child or adolescent include:

• Sad, hopeless or irritable feelings


• Falling behind in school or earning lower grades


• Losing interest in friends or activities usually enjoyed


• Avoiding people; wanting to be alone all of the time


• Talking about suicide or death


• Hurting other people or animals; damaging property


• Major changes in eating or sleeping habits

Depression affects as many as one in every 33 children and one in eight adolescents, according to the federal Center for Mental Health Services. Once a child experiences an episode of depression, he or she is at risk of having another episode within the next five years.

The mother of a child with depression established Childhood Depression Awareness Day in 1997, and NMHA took the program nationwide. Experts on children's mental health and children with depression or other mental disorders are available for telephone interviews throughout May is Mental Health Month.

The National Mental Health Association is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.

For more information, or to contact National Mental Health Association, see their website at: www.nmha.org