While it has only been taken seriously for the past few decades, clinical depression rates among teens and children alike have been increasing for some time. Everyone experiences sad days or mood swings from time to time, but up to five percent of the population of youths may now be suffering from depression. Increasing awareness in parents as well as improving ability to diagnose this illness have resulted in more and more children and adolescents receiving the treatment they need for depression.

No single cause for depression has been pinpointed. Researchers have established that certain families have a higher occurrence of this serious illness, and this supports the concept that genetics may be a contributing factor. When a predisposition for this problem combines with certain environmental and social factors early on, depression symptoms may occur during youth.

Psychosocial influences in modern culture are markedly more numerous than in previous eras. Many will argue prior periods have just as many negative influences as today, but the great influx of information via the media and the internet, especially given the negative bent of much reporting on current events, certainly has a bewildering impact on youth. It is widely agreed that low self-esteem is a major factor in childhood depression. Viewing the self negatively, coupled with a negative view garnered from the media, can result in a pessimistic worldview that colors everything in life.

Today's economic climate and unemployment rates are also making an impression on children and teens, especially in households that are affected. When a parent who was formerly working is now unemployed, this places stress on the child. It can serve to lower self-esteem and increase pessimism. A lack of discretionary income affects children as well. They will be less able to take part in activities with their peers, and this can create social problems as well. If the family should actually lose their home, the children's view of themselves and their place in the world will suffer. This feeling of displacement and uncertainty may bring about symptoms of depression, particularly if a child has a genetic predisposition for the illness.

Growing up can be difficult in the best of times. Between peer pressures and parental expectations, the formative years can become a crucible of forces that adversely affect a child's sense of self. With economic uncertainty and social issues compounding the stress, the problem becomes more acute. Thus, the rates of mental health issues occurring in youth are likely to continue increasing. Fortunately, early diagnosis has become more common as the population becomes more aware of the symptoms. Psychiatric treatment of childhood depression has expanded. Support options for the parents and families of these kids have also become more readily available. These factors will combine to help children and adolescents overcome the symptoms of childhood depression, giving them the opportunity to succeed in their social and behavioral functioning, academics, and their future life as they reach adulthood.