Childhood Depression: Info for Caregivers

Depression is a mental illness that affects people of all ages. Despite sharing the same symptoms as adults, depression in children often goes unnoticed and untreated. Children who are depressed may be misunderstood as being shy, difficult, or misbehaved.

The Childhood Depression: Info for Caregivers worksheet teaches parents and caregivers the basics about childhood depression. Psychoeducation helps to normalize depression, while distinguishing it from other problems such as behavioral disorders and anxiety. This worksheet covers common signs of depression in children, as well as treatments, triggers, and other related information.

The treatment of childhood depression requires that caregivers are on board and involved. One goal of this handout is to encourage their participation from the earliest stages of treatment. For more on caregiver involvement, see the Managing Childhood Depression worksheet.