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It is easier to keep healthy kids healthy than to help kids after symptoms appear. For suggestions on achieving this, please consider the resources below. One example is the tip sheet, titled Challenging Negative Self -Talk, with six questions to help your child practice realistic thinking. Suggested topics to discuss with the pediatrician are addressed in articles and tip sheets available through this website and elsewhere.

Resources for parents to consider for keeping children healthy.

'Partnering with the pediatrician and the school nurse' below is a good article for every parent to read, and especially good for those in Massachusetts where pediatricians have psych responses within 30 minutes through MCPAP. If anxiety seems a concern, the tip sheet with the relaxation imagery script may be of interest.

When a child is healthy with no symptoms of depression...

Helpful hints for successful communication.

Realistic thinking - challenging negative self-talk with 6 questions

Helping your friends through tough times - do's and don'ts.

What are some key things to look for when concerned about possible depression?

Partnering with the pediatrician and the school nurse

Partnering pediatrician should code E and M for consult time

What should I do if I think my child needs a mental health evaluation?

Recommended reading titles for children, for teens and for adults

Did you know that your pediatrician is the primary contact for your child's mental health; they get answers while you are in their office by calling Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project.

Written by and for kids, the Depression Experience Journal is a safe web site maintained by Children's Hospital Boston.

All parents should request that their pediatrician use the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-Jellinek) instrument during each office visit for ages 4 through 16. (Various languages, child & adult versions)

half of those who will ever experience depression show symptoms by age 14

Where is a safe web site for kids to read what other kids write about depression?

depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide (NIH Publication No. 03-5121 January 2003)

Script for younger children to develop imagery, mindfulness of anxiety and relaxation

Script for teens and adults to develop mindfulness of anxiety and relaxation

Short video for girls on impossible perfection illustrating how unrealistic media images are created.(Dove)

Prevention of depression - controlled double blind study - JAMA Jun 2009

Adaptation of prevention model with low income SES

Resources for parents to consider when a child is diagnosed with depression.

As a first step, parents should contact the child's pediatrician to ask for a referral to a pediatric therapist whom is supportive of family-oriented treatment.

When a child has symptoms of depression...

Assistance finding the right health care provider near Wellesley! Help is provided Monday through Friday from 9am - 5pm by calling (617) 332-3666 x411. Click here for details.

Throughout Massachusetts, the Social Work Therapy Referral Service at (617) 720-2828 matches consumer needs with local social workers.

Written by and for kids, the Depression Experience Journal is a safe web site maintained by Children's Hospital Boston.

Parent guide to a childs psychiatric hospitalization (Pre-printed copies may be ordered through the shopping cart)

Guía para padres: Cómo sobrellevar la hospitalización psiquiátrica de su hijo (Spanish version of the parent guide to a child's psychiatric hospitalization may be ordered through the shopping cart)

If a parent feels that the therapist is not answering questions, consider switching to a therapist supportive of family-oriented treatment. William Beardslee clearly illustrates that family is the core of depression prevention and treatment in 'Out of the Darkened Room: Protecting the Children and Strengthening the Family When a Parent Is Depressed'.

While depression is one of the most common, severe and least detected mental illnesses among young people, early recognition can lead to successful treatment outcomes. The Swensrud Depression Prevention Initiative at Children's Hospital Boston is working with communities to address depression in young people. Toolkits and workshops are available on prevention, earlier diagnosis and referral.

Families for Depression Awareness offers resources including an online support community in which you may register.

McLean Hospital develops equipment to accurately diagnose and treat ADHD; finds a third of kids are mis-diagnosed.

Find a NAMI group near you

90 percent of people who die by suicide have depression or other mental health or substance abuse disorder

Research shows that risk factors for suicide include: • depression and other mental disorders, or a substance-abuse disorder (often in combination with other mental disorders). More than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have these risk factors.2

80% of adolescents who complete suicide are boys

15- to 19-year-olds; in this age group, boys are about four times as likely to commit suicide than are girls, while girls are twice as likely to attempt suicide.

MGH clinicians joined forces with educators and parents to launch www.schoolpsychiatry.org, a website targeted to educators, clinicians and parents of children with mental health diagnoses.

Mood disorders account for majority of deaths by suicide

The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention is a collaborative effort of SAMSHA, CDC, NIH, HRSA and IHS. Three studies of adolescents found prevalence estimates for "mood disorders" or "affective disorders" of 61%, 63%, and 67% respectively (Shaffer et al., 1996; Brent et al. 1988; Marttunen et al., 1992).

Meadville, PA - WSJ article with somber story on why parents should get health communication in place before paying the college tuition.

TADS Q+A on Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study