Would you know if your child was depressed or suicidal?

With the WHO report showing that number of suicides rose by 58 per cent between years 2008 and 2017 and rapidly rising, it is a major cause for concern to parents when those incidences include teenagers. Psychotherapist Chris Hart shares with Sunday Magazine some of the signs that your child needs help.

Do you get the impression that there’s more depression and suicide among children these days, especially teenagers? It’s true, there is. All around the world surveys report a growing sense of despair among young people, and rising numbers of suicides.

Because it’s not only adults who get depressed. So do children and teenagers. Unfortunately, childhood depression, especially in teens, can be difficult to spot. Because all kids get low or moody from time to time. But childhood depression’s different from those ‘normal’ blues. It’s not a passing mood, and it won’t go away without help.