How to Talk to Children About Depression: A Parent’s Guide to Mental Health Conversations

Children are often more observant than we realize—they notice when a parent is struggling with depression or anxiety, even if no one names it. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, guest T.J. shares his journey of living with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, and how he found the courage to talk openly with his young son about mental health.

Instead of hiding his struggles, T.J. chose honesty—and in doing so, he built trust, reduced stigma, and gave his child the tools to understand mental health at a young age.

This conversation explores why parents need to talk about depression, how to explain mental illness in age-appropriate ways, and why ongoing conversations matter more than a single talk. Listeners will come away with practical strategies and emotional encouragement for having these difficult but necessary family discussions.

Link to WebMD article on Children's Mental Health: https://www.webmd.com/depression/mental-health-depression-children#1

Primary Topics Covered:

• Why children notice depression and anxiety in parents
• How secrecy about mental health increases fear and stigma
• Tips for explaining depression to kids in simple, non-scary language
• Why honesty builds trust and resilience in children
• The role of love, listening, and empathy in family mental health conversations
• Why ongoing dialogue matters more than a one-time talk
• T.J.’s message to parents struggling with whether to speak up

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction: Why children need honest conversations about depression
 01:42 - T.J.’s story: living with depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD
 03:05 - How his struggles affected daily life and relationships
 05:18 - The turning point: realizing his son noticed his depression
 07:10 - Why silence around mental health creates confusion and stigma
 09:04 - How T.J. explained depression to his child in simple terms
 11:20 - Encouraging ongoing conversations, not just one talk
 13:15 - Tips for parents on honesty and age-appropriate language
 14:50 - Building resilience in children through openness
 16:40 - Closing reflections: why breaking stigma begins at home

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