According to the Child Mind Institute’s 2015 Children’s Mental Health Report: “Of the 74.5 million children in the U.S., an estimated 17.1 million have or have had a psychiatric disorder – more than the number of children with cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. Half of all psychiatric illness occurs before the age of 14 and 75 percent by the age of 24.”

Symptoms of Depression in Children to look for:
The presence of the following symptoms may indicate depression. If your child or teen is exhibiting any of these signs for more than two weeks, it’s time to contact your pediatrician for a consultation:
* Frequent sadness, tearfulness or crying * Continuous feelings of hopelessness * Withdrawal from friends and activities the person previously enjoyed * Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure * Upticks in irritability, agitation, anger or hostility * Changes in appetite — either increased or decreased * Changes in sleep — sleeplessness or excessive sleep * A lack of energy or feeling unable to do simple tasks * Feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Low self-esteem * Difficulty focusing or making choices. School grades dropping * Not caring about what might happen in the future * Pattern of dark images in drawings or paintings * Play that involves excessive aggression directed toward oneself or others, or involves persistently sad themes * Frequent physical complaints, such as headaches and stomachaches * Recurring thoughts or talk of death, suicide or self-destructive behavior

Sources: Mental Health America; American Academy of Pediatrics