DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS affect 2 per cent of children and up to 5 per cent of adolescents, parents were told at a talk organised to help them cope with depression and self-harm in their children.
Psychiatrist Carol Fitzpatrick, of UCD and the Mater hospital, said parents could not “make” their children get better but they could “walk the road” with them.
Prof Fitzpatrick said not all depressed young people needed formal help and many could be helped with support from family and friends. However, formal help was needed if the child’s behaviour was markedly impaired at home, in school and with friends.
Help was also needed if there were suicidal preoccupations, self harm or alcohol or drug abuse.
She was speaking last night at a talk organised by the Lucena Foundation in association with the Royal College of Psychiatrists faculty at UCD.
Prof Fitzpatrick said parents should carefully plan how they approach a child who needs help. “Don’t ask them how they are feeling,” she said, as most young people found it very hard to talk to parents about their feelings. “Mention what you have noticed,” she said, and ask if there is any way you can help.
She also advised parents to look at themselves and their relationships. “Look at the family from the young person’s point of view,” she said. Heavy drinking, marital conflict, depression in parents and stressed and busy lives could all affect young people.
Parents could not make a child get better, make friends for a child or make a child happy, she said. But they could recognise depression, offer support, keep themselves well and keep hope alive for their children.
Prof Fitzpatrick highlighted the Space programme at the Children’s University Hospital in Temple Street for parents or carers of people under 18 who are concerned about self harm or suicidal behaviour. The six weekly sessions are free. For details, contact Lorna Power at 01-7166321 or by e-mail at Lorna.Power@cuh.ie
