How to talk to children about depression

Children might feel down at certain points in their life and it’s a natural part of growing up. But it can be a cause for concern if these emotions persist for a long time, especially if they affect the child’s social, family and school life. Photo: Pixabay

If you suspect that your child is suffering from depression, gently probe further by asking them questions like: “Have you been feeling sad?”, “Do you know what’s bothering you?”, and “Have you ever wanted to hurt yourself?”

These “conversation starters” were featured in a recent poster released by Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) Penang, a Malaysian NGO that advocates for women and children’s rights.