Childhood Depression: Early Warning Signs Every Parent Should Know

Childhood depression often hides in plain sight — mistaken for shyness, teenage moodiness, or simply “a phase.” But the truth is, children can experience depression deeply, and without support, the consequences can follow them into adulthood.

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Sally shares her powerful story of living with depression from the age of ten — how her sadness went unnoticed, how poetry became an early cry for help, and how decades later she’s determined to raise awareness so other children don’t suffer in silence.

Listeners will learn how to recognize the early warning signs of childhood depression, why stigma prevents families from acting, and how parents, teachers, and mentors can step in to support kids before their struggles become lifelong burdens.

Link to Cleveland Clinic article: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14938-depression-in-children

Link to CDC article: https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/depression.html

Primary Topics Covered:

• Sally’s story: living with childhood depression in the 1960s
• How sleep changes, grief, and sadness can be overlooked as normal behavior
• The impact of losing a supportive grandparent and lack of guidance afterward
• Poetry and dark writings as early indicators of depression
• Teachers noticing — but families ignoring — signs of distress
• How stigma and silence prevented early intervention
• The role of medication and therapy later in life
• Sally’s reflections on resilience and building a career despite depression
• Advice for today’s parents, teachers, and mentors: tuning in and taking action
• Why early recognition of childhood depression can save lives

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction  
01:00 – Why childhood depression is often misunderstood  
01:20 – Sally reflects on her 10- and 13-year-old self  
02:17 – Childhood sadness, excessive sleeping, and feeling “different”  
03:26 – Losing her grandmother and the lack of family support  
04:12 – Using poetry as an outlet for deep sadness  
05:09 – Teacher notices dark writing, but parents dismiss concerns  
06:08 – Rediscovering letters that showed signs at age 10  
07:30 – What her grandmother could have done differently  
08:42 – Depression diagnosis at 21 and first effective medication  
09:32 – Experiencing happiness for the first time in decades  
10:06 – The reality of managing medication long-term  
11:35 – Building a successful career while living with depression  
12:30 – Describing “the pit” of depression  
13:44 – Sally’s ongoing work supporting Giving Voice to Depression  
14:29 – Why internet resources could have changed her childhood  
14:44 – The importance of ending stigma and recognizing depression in kids  
15:39 – How early support could have changed her life’s trajectory  
17:16 – Closing reflections and community thanks  

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