How to Talk to Elementary Children About Depression

Talking to your child about depression does not have to be a scary discussion with many technical terms that they cannot understand. These days children of elementary age are smarter than we give them credit for and can understand the situation well. Whether you think they are showing signs of depression themselves, or if they have a loved one who is diagnosed with clinical depression, the facts are the same. There are easy ways to educate your child about this medical condition.

Instructions

• 1

  Explain that depression is actually a medical condition that needs some form of treatment. Tell them about the chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. These send signals to nerve cells in the brain and affect the mood according to the kidshealth.org website. When the chemicals are at a low level, the result can be depression, stress or anxiety. In effect, the brain does not have enough happy juice to give the person enough good feelings or moods to be able to function well.

• 2

  List for the child all the different causes of depression. These can be inherited, a result of an unhappy event in a person life, a medical problem, or problems within the persons environment, whether it be family, work or social surroundings.

• 3

  Instruct the child that talk can be a healing process, as well as art and keeping a diary. Sharing emotions, problems and concerns with a therapist, health care professional or just a caring adult can aid in healing the depression. Explain that crying, no interest in activities, yelling, sleep problems, and not doing well in school or work are all symptoms of depression according to the oregoncounseling.org website.

• 4

  Share with your child that sometimes talk and sharing is not enough, sometimes medication is required to battle the depression. Explain how the medications help the brain chemicals that are at a low level. Talk with the child about how depression can make a person not care about life or about being happy and that it is not something the patient can control.

• 5

  Take your child on outings that require physical activity such as biking, playing ball, swimming or hiking. Point out to them how exercise and leading an active lifestyle is a very effective way to combat depression by releasing happy chemicals into our bodies. .