Support Starts with Understanding
If your child comes to you and says they think they might be depressed, the most important thing you can do is listen—and support them.
Your response matters more than you realize. Being present and accepting provides your child with the emotional security they need. It’s essential to create a safe space where they feel heard, loved, and believed.
“I’m a big believer in overcoming and achieving and doing things and not feeling sorry for yourself.” — Drew Carey
Overcoming depression is not easy, and your child will face challenges along the way. Avoid responding with anger or frustration, as this can intensify feelings of shame or worthlessness.
How to Be There for Your Child
Even if your child seems withdrawn, irritable, or defiant, what they want most is to know that you care.
Here’s how you can help:
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Talk with them openly and without judgment
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Offer a shoulder to lean on—your presence matters more than perfect words
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Let them know you are available any time they need to talk or cry
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Reassure them that they are not alone, and that things can get better
HealthyChildren.org emphasizes the importance of parental involvement and empathy when supporting children through depression.
Validate and Lighten Their Load
It’s important to validate your child’s feelings—even if you don’t fully understand them. Depression often brings a heavy emotional weight, so small gestures of support can make a big impact:
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Help with schoolwork to reduce stress
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Let them skip chores for a night if they’re overwhelmed
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Plan a family fun night to rebuild connection and joy
Even one positive experience can provide a moment of relief and strengthen trust.
The Role of Medical and Emotional Support
When your child knows you’re by their side, they are far more likely to listen to your advice and open up over time. But love alone isn’t enough. If your child is showing symptoms of depression, it’s critical to seek professional medical advice.
Your pediatrician or mental health provider can help with diagnosis, treatment options, and long-term care strategies.
The key to overcoming depression is early support, empathy, and professional guidance.
Real-Life Inspiration: Between Gods by Alison Pick
In Between Gods, author Alison Pick shares her story of spiritual identity, family, and depression. She writes with honesty about her struggles and healing—offering insight into the quiet strength it takes to rise above emotional pain. Her journey reminds us that overcoming depression is possible—with courage, community, and support.
Your child doesn’t need you to have all the answers.
They just need to know you’re walking beside them, every step of the way.
I think the number one point here is that parents should seek medical attention for their child – immediately. Teen suicide is real – if your children are coming to you for help, get it from a trained professional!
Jaime Nicole, Parents need to take their Kids seriously; although most depressed teens do not tell their Parents right away.
Parents need to take their teens seriously. Although, teenager do not tell Parents right away.
This is a great post and thank you for sharing on such a delicate topic. Childhood depression is affecting so many more households than before. I have two boys and I am constantly checking for warning signs.
This is wonderful advice. I think it;s so important for the parents to be there and have open lines of communication.
Excellent advice for anyone that comes in contact with someone that is working through depression. And yes, it does need to be taken seriously.
Thanks for sharing. I know that parents can help their children through so much if they will take the time to foster a relationship of love, trust and understanding with their children.
Great tips and advice, the teenage years are so hard, such an awkward time. As parents we have to be aware of the signs of depression.
Thank you for sharing this important information. We have a history of depression in our family, so I am always looking for signs, even though my son is young.
Depression is serious, it’s nothing to take light and something you have to realize as soon as you can! Always pay attention to how your child acts.
I agree with getting professional help. We may be their parents, but more often parents find it hard to help their teens because they are not communicating enough.
This is a very informative post. Parents have to be very vigilant as teens don’t normally tell their parents that they are having problems.
Thanks for this tips Patrice. As a young parent myself, its great to know the steps that needs to be done in terms of teen depression.
It is so important to know this things when you have a child. I have yet to encounter this with my own kids, but at least I know what to do now.
The line for communication between parents and their children should always be open. Make the kids feel that what they need to say is important. Be sensitive to their feelings. Kids can have their own set of problems too. What we may perceive as silly and insignificant may be a big deal for them.
Annemarie LeBlanc, Parents need to listen and communicated with there child which increase mental health.
I suffered from depression from age 13 on. It was really bad in my teen years. Now I worry with my son, especially since he was bullied last year to the point where he was extremely depressed. Thank you for sharing this.
Nikki, keep watch and observe but most of all be there to support your son.
I can definitely see how improving communication would help. Taking it seriously and seeking medical help is a good idea too.
Giving kids support and listening is key. Being present and available is important too. This is good information.
Validating their feels is such a large part of making them feel better. Too easily we can sometimes dismiss their feelings as usual teenage angst.
Sometimes hard to tell signs of illnesses so always good to start a conversation.
I have a teenager and it seems they’re the ones more prone to depression. We really need to listen to them more often.