
Children's Mental Health Awareness Series
Presented by Children's Ministry

Week Two
by Children's Ministry on September 10, 2020Similar to anxiety, depression can begin at a young age. These behaviors can often be written off as trouble-making tendencies, as they include disinterest, inattention, and lethargy. As we progress through this season of physical distancing and remote learning, you may notice similar behaviors in your child. If these behaviors are persistent, they may be experiencing depression.
Examples of behaviors often seen in children with depression include-
• Feeling sad, hopeless, or irritable
• Not wanting to do, or enjoy doing, fun things
• Social withdrawal - self-isolation
• Increased sensitivity to rejection
• Showing changes in eating patterns – eating a lot more or a lot less than usual
• Showing changes in sleep patterns – sleeping a lot more or a lot less than normal
• Showing changes in energy – being tired and sluggish or tense and restless • Having a hard time paying attention
• Feeling worthless, useless, or guilty
• Showing self-injury and self-destructive behavior