A report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that one in every six children in Nigeria is depressed. According to the report, “Nigerian children and young adults are increasingly under the most pressure to succeed globally even with limited opportunities and support from the government.” So, in a real-life context what does this mean, and as a parent, caregiver, or concerned citizen, what can you do?
Children experience various emotions; they feel sad, act cranky, or are in a bad mood. But when a sad or bad mood lasts for weeks or longer, and when there are other changes in a child’s behaviour, it might be depression.
What is depression?
Depression is a mood disorder that can cause someone to feel sad, irritable, or hopeless. It may affect your sleep, appetite, or relationships with others. The reality is that depression can affect children, and in children, the disorder can affect how children interact with friends and family. It may prevent them from enjoying school, sports, hobbies, or other normal childhood activities.
It is important to note that depression is not just sad, and not all sad children are depressed. A child has to experience a sad mood for a long time (over three weeks) and be diagnosed by a professional to determine that it is depression. If a child is depressed, parents/caregivers may notice some of these signs: Sad or bad mood, being self-critical, lack of energy and effort, sleep and eating changes, etc. Because there is no single cause of depression, it is pertinent to speak with a professional if you notice these changes in your child.
Steps on how to manage a depressed child
To manage the situation, after observation, there are a few steps a parent or guardian can take. We briefly highlight four (4) of these below.
Lastly, what truly matters to any child isn't the gifts you buy but the gift of your time, patience and dedication. If you have a child exhibiting any signs of depression, please ensure you speak to a professional about it.
Remember:
Every child is your child.
The Special Foundation is a privately funded social impact organization focused on building Africa’s next set of Leaders by refining their minds through education.
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