Post by Editor on Jun 8, 2006 12:58:47 GMT -5
Resource Link, a resource center for child and adolescent behavioral health, has provided parents adn other caregivers a list of the signs and symptoms of depression. According to the program's director, Mike Wells, the providing of this information relates to May as National Mental Health month. "The emphasis being placed on mental health issues in May provides a great opportunity for our program to help raise awareness about childhood depression." said Wells. "Resource Link has served more than 300 central Illinois children in the past 10 months, so we know there is a need to be met."
Depression is an illness in which the feelings of depression persist and interfere with a child or adolescent's ability to function. If left untreated, results can be:
Poor school performance and learning difficulties
Problems with social interactions adn slowed development of normal peer relationships
Lowered self esteem
Difficulties in parent-child relations
Substance abuse
Suicide
Resource Link, a service of Children's Hospital of Illinois, helps children with depression and other mental illnesses access the appropriate treatment. It provides assistance to healthcare providers as well as parents adn others who have responsibility for childdren. Resource Link also serves as a clearinghouse for information on childhood adn adolescent depression.
To contact Resource Ling, call 309-671-7520. Mike Wells serves as director of the program and Becky Turner is the case coordinator. Dr. Lourdes Serrano is the child psychiatrist affiliated with Resource Link.
Signs of depression may include:
Frequent sadness, tearfulness, crying
Hopelessness
Decreased interest in activites or inability to enjoy previous favorite activities
Persistant boredom, low energy
Social isolation, poor communication
Low self esteem and guilt
Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
Increased irritability, anger or hostility
Difficulty with relationships
Frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches or stomach aches
Frequent abscences from school or poor performance in school
Poor concentration
A major change in eating and or sleeping patterns
Talk of or efforts to run away from home
Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self destructive behavior
Things may trigger depression
Family move
Change in school
Death of a family member, friend or pet
Family illness
Hormonal changes
If your child has displayed one or more of the signs listed above and it has persisted for a week or longer, depression may be an issue. A thorough evaluation by a medical or mental health care provider is requried to diagnose depression. Contact your primary care physician or Resource Link at 309-671-7520.
Depression is an illness in which the feelings of depression persist and interfere with a child or adolescent's ability to function. If left untreated, results can be:
Poor school performance and learning difficulties
Problems with social interactions adn slowed development of normal peer relationships
Lowered self esteem
Difficulties in parent-child relations
Substance abuse
Suicide
Resource Link, a service of Children's Hospital of Illinois, helps children with depression and other mental illnesses access the appropriate treatment. It provides assistance to healthcare providers as well as parents adn others who have responsibility for childdren. Resource Link also serves as a clearinghouse for information on childhood adn adolescent depression.
To contact Resource Ling, call 309-671-7520. Mike Wells serves as director of the program and Becky Turner is the case coordinator. Dr. Lourdes Serrano is the child psychiatrist affiliated with Resource Link.
Signs of depression may include:
Frequent sadness, tearfulness, crying
Hopelessness
Decreased interest in activites or inability to enjoy previous favorite activities
Persistant boredom, low energy
Social isolation, poor communication
Low self esteem and guilt
Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
Increased irritability, anger or hostility
Difficulty with relationships
Frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches or stomach aches
Frequent abscences from school or poor performance in school
Poor concentration
A major change in eating and or sleeping patterns
Talk of or efforts to run away from home
Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self destructive behavior
Things may trigger depression
Family move
Change in school
Death of a family member, friend or pet
Family illness
Hormonal changes
If your child has displayed one or more of the signs listed above and it has persisted for a week or longer, depression may be an issue. A thorough evaluation by a medical or mental health care provider is requried to diagnose depression. Contact your primary care physician or Resource Link at 309-671-7520.