Monarch

For many parents, returning from a break—whether it’s summer vacation, winter holidays, or even a long weekend—can be unexpectedly challenging. Children who were previously attending school without major difficulty suddenly resist getting out of bed, avoiding classrooms, or complaining of stomachaches, headaches, or fatigue. In reality, increased school refusal after breaks is a common experience for children of all ages and can have many underlying causes.

Depression can be difficult for parents to identify, especially when symptoms can mirror other changes. This table can be used as a reference chart to help identify common emotional, behavioral, and physical signs of depression

Depression is often thought of as an adult mental health condition, but it can affect children and adolescents too. For parents, recognizing depression in their children can be challenging, especially because young people may express their emotions differently than adults. Understanding the signs, symptoms, risk factors, and ways to support a child struggling with depression is essential for early intervention and effective care.