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A lot of people cope with issues related to depression on a regular basis. It’s actually a fairly common issue to go through, but we tend to have ways to cope with it due to our experience in those situations. However, when it comes to our children, their inexperience in life means that they don’t understand how to react or cope with stress and depression. So to help you out, here are a couple of tips to help your child through difficult times.
Recognise that your child has a depression problem
First, it’s vital to recognise that your child is actually suffering from depression and not just going through hormonal changes or just being moody. By recognising and supporting your child, you make things a lot easier for them to cope with.
If you sense something is wrong, help your child out
It’s common as a parent to see your child going through bouts of sadness or overthinking something, but it’s vital that you follow your gut feeling and give them a hand or speak to them when you sense something is wrong.
Consider speaking to a counsellor or teacher about the depression
If you’re unable to get through to your child, consider speaking to a counsellor or one of their teachers instead. Professional assistance is often necessary to get your child to speak up.
Focus on the wellbeing of your child
A healthy diet, plenty of sleep and some exercise each day will contribute to your child’s overall mental health and support them through their difficult times.
Encourage positive behaviour
Lastly, make sure you encourage your child to be positive when possible. Below, we’ve included an infographic that illustrates this further.
Infographic: Regis College
*Featured image by Aliyah Jamous on Unsplash
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