What is depression?

Children often feel down, are cranky or have negative thoughts. This is part of healthy development. It’s also part of learning to understand and manage emotions.

But childhood depression is more than just feeling sad, blue or low. Depression in children is a mental health condition that affects children’s thinking, mood and behaviour.

Is depression a disability?

Depression can be considered a disability under Australian law. For depression to be considered a disability, there needs to be evidence that it:

  • is severe
  • is long term
  • has a substantial effect on everyday life.

How does depression affect children with disability, ADHD or chronic conditions?

Children with disability, ADHD or chronic conditions are more likely to experience low mood and depression than their peers.

This is for many reasons. For example, these kids might:

  • often be in pain or feel tired
  • feel different from their peers
  • feel that their condition gets in the way of daily life
  • experience stigma or bullying
  • struggle with schoolwork
  • experience difficult medical procedures.

What are depression symptoms in children with disability, ADHD or chronic conditions?

Depression symptoms are similar in all children. They include low energy, poor appetite and sleep problems. But if children have disability, a chronic condition or ADHD, their physical symptoms can mask signs like these. This can sometimes make it difficult to know what’s happening.

On top of the symptoms they might share with other kids, children with disability, ADHD or a chronic condition and depression might also:

  • feel different from their peers
  • feel that they can’t connect with others because of disability or illness
  • feel worthless or say things like ‘I’m not good enough’
  • feel anxious or hopeless about the future
  • complain that they can’t play sport or do schoolwork like their peers
  • not take medicines or refuse to do other treatments like physiotherapy
  • complain about pain more than usual, including headaches or whole body pain.

Our article on childhood depression takes you through general signs and symptoms of depression. It also explains practical ways to help children with depression.

How to get help for your child with depression

Depression doesn’t go away on its own. You need to help your child if you think they have depression. Here’s what to do:

  • Make an appointment to see your GP, and get a referral to a paediatrician, psychiatrist or psychologist. These professionals can diagnose depression in children.
  • Make an appointment with your local area mental health service. You can find your local service by speaking to your GP.
  • Speak to student wellbeing staff at your child’s school.

If your child is aged 5 years or older, they can talk with a counsellor at Kids Helpline by calling 1800 551 800 or using the Kids Helpline webchat counselling service.

If your child is always thinking about hurting themselves or saying that they want to die, seek urgent professional help. Call your state or territory mental health service or Lifeline on 131 114, or go to your GP or a hospital emergency department. People who are depressed are at increased risk of suicide.

How to support your child with depression: tips

There are many practical things you can do to support your child through depression.

Many of these are things you’d do for any child with depression, like:

There are also extra things you can do to help when your child is managing depression as well as disability, ADHD or a chronic condition.

Relationships

  • Spend regular one-on-one time with your child doing something enjoyable that isn’t focused on managing their condition.
  • Show interest in your child’s everyday experiences, friendships and feelings
  • Make time for fun as a family. Try to find activities that help your child feel included, relaxed and connected.
  • Connect with peer networks for children with disability or chronic conditions. If these networks run camps or playgroups, this can give your child the chance to socialise with children with similar experiences.
  • Plan ways for your child to keep up with schoolwork and friends if they’re away for treatments.
  • Support your child’s friendships and activities and help them find ways to make and maintain new relationships. For example, you could invite friends over or organise activities based on shared interests.
  • Talk with your child about whether they want to tell their friends about their condition – and if so, how and when they want to do it.

Emotions

  • Validate your child’s feelings. For example, ‘That sounds tough’.
  • Let your child know it’s OK to be angry or frustrated, and encourage them to be kind to themselves when they feel this way.
  • Help your child work out what soothes them or helps them cope. For example, they might like to cuddle a favourite toy, or you could do a belly breathing or calming exercise together.
  • Help your child learn ways to manage their emotions.
  • Help your child develop a positive self-identity. What are they good at? Where can they succeed? What’s important to them?

Routines, rules and choices

  • Use family routines. Routines make life predictable, which can help your child feel safe and reduce their stress.
  • Have consistent family rules and consequences that apply to everyone. This sends the message that everyone is important and equal.
  • Offer small choices – like what to wear to an appointment, what music to play on the way there, or what they’d like to do afterwards. This can improve your child’s mood and confidence.

Your child’s condition

  • Give your child developmentally appropriate information about their condition or disability. Without accurate information, children often imagine the worst.
  • Prepare your child for procedures. Explain what to expect and plan how to help your child cope.
  • Make health procedures less stressful. Turn parts of treatments into games, or let your child choose something fun to do together after procedures.

Financial support for kids with depression and disability

Your child might be able to get Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year. To get these rebates, your child will need a mental health treatment plan from a GP or a referral from a psychiatrist or paediatrician.

If your child is an NDIS participant, you can contact the NDIS to find out whether you can include support for depression in your child’s plan.

Looking after yourself

It’s important to look after yourself. If you’re meeting your own needs, you’ll be better able to meet your child’s needs too.

Here are ways to look after yourself:

  • Contact a support program for parents of children with disability or chronic conditions.
  • Talk to your GP.
  • Look into respite care so you can have a break.

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Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

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Warning: This website and the information it contains is not intended as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified practitioner.