Talking about childhood depression can bring up fear, worry or guilt but our kids can get better with support.  Depression is treatable and there is hope!

​

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Maria Anguiano shares that depression isn't always visible as sadness and may be irritability, anger, or isolation.  While mood changes in your child during growth, school stress or big life changes it is important to identify other physical symptoms that include changes to sleep patterns, changes in appetites, low energy, loss of interest in school, a decline in grades, withdrawal from friends or family, or difficulty concentrating.

​

Maria shares how parents can help by staying connected with your child, ensuring they feel safe, heard and understood by:

• Spending one-on-one time with your child, even if it's only a few minutes

• Listening without judgment

• Sharing small moments such as walks, means or bedtime chats

• Show interest in their feelings and activities

​

Doing more helps you and your child feel better when you:

• Support your children by engaging in enjoyable or meaningful activities that improve mood

• Encourage routines, hobbies, physical activity, or social connection

• Take small steps that lead to big improvements, starting with 5–10 minutes at a time

• Celebrate progress, not perfection

​

At the end, Maria shares tools that will help you engage with your children including the introduction of better sleeping and screen time habits.