While it has only been taken seriously for the past few decades, clinical depression rates among teens and children alike have been increasing for some time. Everyone experiences sad days or mood swings from time to time, but up to five percent of the population of youths may now be suffering from depression. Increasing awareness in parents as well as improving ability to diagnose this illness have resulted in more and more children and adolescents receiving the treatment they need for depression.

While it has only been taken seriously for the past few decades, clinical depression rates among teens and children alike have been increasing for some time. Everyone experiences sad days or mood swings from time to time, but up to five percent of the population of youths may now be suffering from depression. Increasing awareness in parents as well as improving ability to diagnose this illness have resulted in more and more children and adolescents receiving the treatment they need for depression.

No single cause for depression has been pinpointed. Researchers have established that certain families have a higher occurrence of this serious illness, and this supports the concept that genetics may be a contributing factor. When a predisposition for this problem combines with certain environmental and social factors early on, depression symptoms may occur during youth.

Currently, we have a social environment that has a greater number of psychosocial influences than in previous eras. The argument could be made that this particular point in time has no more negative influences than prior periods. Even accepting that premise, the situation is exacerbated in new ways by the continual flow of information via the media and the internet. Current consensus is that low self-esteem is probably the single biggest factor, or at least occurs regularly within the symptoms of this childhood illness. The influence of viewing one's self negatively helps create a pessimistic worldview. The deluge of information regarding negative current events magnifies their pressure on children and adolescents.

Today's economic climate and unemployment rates are also making an impression on children and teens, especially in households that are affected. When a parent who was formerly working is now unemployed, this places stress on the child. It can serve to lower self-esteem and increase pessimism. A lack of discretionary income affects children as well. They will be less able to take part in activities with their peers, and this can create social problems as well. If the family should actually lose their home, the children's view of themselves and their place in the world will suffer. This feeling of displacement and uncertainty may bring about symptoms of depression, particularly if a child has a genetic predisposition for the illness.

Peer pressure and parental expectations during the formative years can place a lot of stress on kids, affecting them even in the best of times as they grow up. When you add social and economic problems to the pile of issues children must face as they mature, stress becomes more acute. Due to this fact, rates of mental health issues occurring in youth are likely to continue increasing. However, early diagnosis of mental health problems in children, as well as increased treatment options and enhanced support for families, helps to combat this growing problem. The right treatment and support can give children and adolescents the tools they need to overcome depression symptoms. This will help them succeed socially, academically and in their careers and lives on into adulthood.