Parents can help depressed kids by listening and asking difficult questions

By Staff Writer

A psychologist in Cleveland says that one of the most effective ways a parent can help a child with depression is by letting them talk.

According to NBC news affiliate WKYC, a doctor at Cleveland Clinic's Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health said that many children who suffer from depression may not know how to explain themselves. She recommends that parents ask questions if they notice that their kid is sad or attempting to isolate.

She added that children do not always open up the first time they are questioned, so it is important for parents to bring up the topic again. It is also helpful if parents or guardians share their own experiences to let their kids know that they are not alone in their struggles.

The psychologist told the news provider that the two most important things a parent can do is listen and ask the tough questions in order to gain insight on their emotions. If an adolescent is experiencing suicidal thoughts, an adult may never know unless they ask.

According to PBS, approximately 4 percent of juveniles develop serious depression each year.