Yesterday on Childhood Depression Awareness Day, many children, families, and child mental health professionals and advocates worked in communities around the world to educate the public that childhood depression is real, common, and treatable.

It's not unusual for young people to experience "the blues" or feel "down in the dumps" occasionally. Adolescence is always an unsettling time, with the many physical, emotional, psychological and social changes that accompany this stage of life.

When a child or an adolescent feels that he or she cannot meet the academic, social, or family expectations of others, then they may feel rejected and disappointed.

Many young people feel that life is not fair or that things "never go their way." They feel "stressed out" and confused. Depression is more than just "feeling blue" or having a bad day.

Depression is also different from feelings of grief that follow a major loss, such as a death in the family. It does not mean that one is weak or flawed.

Children and teens with clinical depression cannot simply "snap out of it".

Depression is a health problem that impacts feelings, thoughts, and behaviours, and can appear as physical symptoms.

The symptoms of depression may look different in young people than in adults; children and adolescents do not always understand or express their feelings very well.

When depression in a young person goes un-noticed, and thus un-treated, then the consequences can include social isolation, difficulties at home and school, and an increased risk of self-harm.

Risk-taking behaviours, such as sexual promiscuity, aggressive behaviours, and substance use may occur to avoid feelings of depression.

Warning signs of depression in a child or adolescent include the following. These signs are often present for more than two weeks.

Persistent sad and hopeless feelings.

Frequent anger, irritation, and hostility.

Feeling worthless.

Falling behind in school and/or decreasing grades.

Withdrawing from friends or activities usually enjoyed.

Avoiding people and wanting to be alone all of the time.

Decreased energy level and fatigue all of the time.

Talking about self-harm or suicide.

Hurting self, other people, or animals and damaging property.

Substance abuse.

Major disturbances in eating and sleeping patterns, for example, there may be too much sleeping and too little eating.

May have physical complaints, but there is no medical reason for the complaints. Once a child experiences an episode of depression, that child is at risk for having another episode within the next five years. So, is it treatable? Fortunately, depression in youth is treatable.

When children or teens feel down, there are ways they can cope with these feelings to avoid serious depression. All of these suggestions help develop a sense of acceptance and belonging that is so important to children and adolescents:

Try to make new friends. Healthy relationships with peers are central to ones' self-esteem and provide an important social outlet.

Participate in sports, job, school activities or hobbies. Staying busy helps one to focus on positive activities rather than negative feelings or behaviours.

Join organisations that offer programs for young people. Special programs geared to the needs of children and adolescents help develop additional interests.

Ask a trusted adult for help. When problems are too much to handle alone, children and teens should not be afraid to ask for help.

Children and adolescents need adult guidance to understand all the emotional and physical changes they are experiencing. When a young person's mood disrupts their ability to maintain daily functioning, i.e., unable to focus in school, fatigued, not eating or sleeping properly, then the adults need to pay attention and intervene. Parents or caregivers must take action.

Offer help and listen. Encourage children and teens to talk about their thoughts and feelings.

Listen, don't lecture.

Trust your instincts. If it seems that the situation may be serious, seek prompt help. Break a confidence if necessary, in order to save a life.

Pay attention to talk about suicide. Ask direct questions and don't be afraid of frank discussions. Silence can be deadly!

Seek professional help. Alert key adults in the child's or teen's life ? family, friends, teachers, school counsellors, and paediatricians or family doctors.

These individuals can help to determine if the child or teen requires assessment and treatment by a mental health professional.

Sometimes, despite everyone's best efforts, children and teens become depressed. Many factors can contribute to depression.

A family history of depression, stressful life events such a losing a parent, divorce, experiencing emotional and/or physical trauma, and having a chronic illness are all factors that can contribute to a child or teen developing depressive symptoms.

Once the symptoms are recognised then the depression can be treated.