The purpose of Childhood Depression Awareness Day, which will be observed on May 2 this year, is to protect and aid children suffering from this debilitating illness. Typically, the image of childhood that comes to mind is of children who are full of energy and desire to play, but this is not always the case. Sadly, childhood melancholy does exist. Parents, guardians, and educators must address this issue because it is so important. Depression is one of the leading causes of other ailments worldwide, and it affects people of all ages. WHO classifies depression as a global health crisis, but its effects on children can be even more devastating and severe, placing the lives of both boys and girls in danger.
The background of Childhood Depression Awareness Day
In the majority of cultures, infancy is regarded as the most formative period of life. Not only because this is when they are most fragile and vulnerable, but also because this is when they learn the majority of the skills they will use throughout their lifetimes. Children must be nurtured, protected, and tended for. The last few generations have been characterised by profound social transformations and severe crises that have altered the global child protection networks. Between wars and a decline in environmental quality of life, children have progressively lost their right to childhood due to a variety of factors, including the reduction of public spaces for play and exploration and the dismantling of protection and education networks.
This is extremely distressing and has led to a worldwide epidemic of depression in recent decades. Depression can affect anyone, is one of the most common illnesses, and frequently coexists with other severe illnesses, but its impact on children is significantly more concerning. The increasing number of juvenile and adolescent suicides is heartbreaking. Between 2007 and 2018, the suicide rate among Americans aged 10 to 24 increased by roughly 60 percent.
In 1997, parents whose children suffered from depression decided to take action. They established the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health and Childhood Depression Awareness Day. The Federation of Families initiated the Green Ribbon Campaign in 2015. This fundraising effort seeks to educate the public about the emotional, behavioural, and mental health requirements of children and their families.
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5 FACTS ABOUT DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN YOU SHOULD KNOW
Children and adolescents with depression have a tendency to withdraw and lose interest in activities requiring social skills.
Depression is a severely incapacitating condition, and one of the earliest manifestations in children is a decline in academic performance.
Children and adolescents suffering from melancholy frequently adopt a fight-or-flight posture, which manifests as apathy or aggression.
Chronic sleep problems such as bruxism, night terrors, and insomnia are very common among depressed adolescents, as are eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, and body dysmorphia.
Depression can cause morbid, obsessive thoughts, which increase the risk of suicide significantly.
CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION AWARENESS DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | May 3 | Tuesday |
| 2023 | May 2 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | May 7 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | May 6 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | May 5 | Tuesday |
