Counsellors have voiced concerns that depression among young people is a serious issue that needs to be brought to the forefront and examined by every aspect of the community.

Three professionals who deal with young people said that the affects of depression are easily visible in Bermuda - and they warn that if the issues are not addressed they could lead to activities that could harm the child later in life.

Dr. Ranil Abeysinghe, a clinical psychiatrist at Child and Adolescent Services, said that depression is "quite a common problem".

"Depression does not go away, sadness goes away and those are two different things," he said.

Depression is a mental state in which sufferers feel that they are useless, and are often left with a feeling of gloom and inadequacy. Many think that depression only happens in adults, but experts say depression can strike anyone at any age.

Dr. Abeysinghe said that for young people depression is based on two things, environmental stress and genetics. If the adolescent is suffering from depression, it was most likely inherited from their parents.

The younger the child who suffers from depression, the more likely it is that their parents suffered from it, he said.

"The main ways that it shows is through irritability and they can also become aggressive. Often times their self-esteem is low and they present their worth by behaving as if they are bad. It is one of the common reasons why their school work suffers and the children won't do work."

He added that often the depression could lead to a number of things, including serious drug use and suicidal thoughts.

"Any of us can be depressed. That is why it is important to learn about it," said Dr. Abeysinghe. He said the major warning signal is when children start saying that they are worthless.

Sharon Apopa, acting clinical coordinator and clinical social worker for Child and Adolescent Services, said that young people suffering from depression are often involved in circumstances which help promote their depression.

One example could be interpersonal violence between the mother and her boyfriend or the child who has to keep "the family secret".

She said that the young person who suffers from depression may often feel as if they are carrying a heavy burden on their shoulders.

"Many times people say, 'What in the world do they have to be depressed about?' " said Mrs. Apopa. "They have to deal with interpersonal relationships, often there is a lot of stress when it relates to cases of incest. These children have feelings of helplessness and loneliness.

"If you tell the family secret than you might break up the family. Children don't have to be clinically depressed to commit suicide," Mrs. Apopa added. "They just have to live a stressed life."

Mrs. Apopa added that to diagnose clinical depression, an evaluation by a psychiatrist is necessary.

Dr. Abeysinghe said that there are two tests that his department use to assess child depression - the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) for children aged seven and under while older children and teens are often given the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) test.

Michelle Johnson, Director of Teen Services, said that many times children suffer from depression but are not diagnosed. As they grow older the children can develop emotional problems, as well as relationship problems.

"The majority of the time, the children we deal with are in some degree suffering from depression," said Mrs. Johnson. "The depression many times stems from issues that have happened in the family. Kids get depressed and as a society, it needs to be addressed. This issue really needs to be looked at."

Dr. Abeysinghe added that when it comes to the treatment of depression there are a host of myths and pre-conceived notions. For example, parents may feel that once their child is placed on medication it will lead to a lifelong drug dependency.

These notions play a role in potential treatment especially when it comes to prescribing medication for the child. Some cases have even lead to the need for hospitalisation.

Mrs. Apopa added that there has been an increase in the need to hospitalise children for their own good. In the long run, Dr. Abeysinghe said peer groups, relationships and family all play a role in the lives of the young person who suffers from depression.

Mrs. Apopa said: "The child is a system. It's like luggage, the child is a small piece of luggage which is often dragged along by the bigger luggage.

"To treat them it requires the entire family to open up."