Young Kids and Depression

Promoting Early Childhood Mental Health

Depression in early childhood? When we think of depression, young kids are probably not what come to mind, but new research is showing that early childhood depression is a real thing.



Smart Support Consultant Laura Crimmins conducting

 an observation at a preschool in Prescott

“Depression has been diagnosed in children as young as 3 years old,” said Licensed Professional Counselor Laura Schulz. “Research is showing that if depression is experienced in early childhood, it is more likely to occur in adulthood. We need to get to it early.”



Schulz said that one of the signs of early childhood depression is anhedonia, or the inability to enjoy everyday activities. “We usually think of a child ‘acting out’ as a worrisome form of expression,” said Schulz. “However, it can be the quiet and overly compliant child who is experiencing something difficult inwardly as well.”  Whether children act out or internalize, there is meaning behind their behavior. For example, they may stop enjoying play time or seem to “go through the motions” of play without engaging. Children experiencing depression could feel excessive guilt, decreased joy, irritability, and may experience changes in eating and sleeping patterns.

Laura Schulz also works as a Supervisor with Smart Support, a program funded by First Things First in Yavapai County. Through Smart Support, a mental health consultant partners with child care professionals to assess a situation, address concerns, and find long-term solutions to challenging behaviors in young children.  These behavioral concerns can range from outward expressions such as biting and hitting to less noticeable concerns such as withdrawing or restricted emotional expression.

Smart Support focuses on building a trusting, strong relationship between child care providers and their mental health consultant. When child care professionals feel supported by this relationship and the new skills they acquire, this both reduces their stress and works as a model for building stronger, more nurturing relationships with the children they serve. Everyone benefits - especially the children.  “Being a child care professional is a hard job and it isn’t glamorous,” said Schulz. “If the caregiver feels supported, then they in turn can care for the children in a deeper, more significant way.”

Smart Support also helps caregivers find opportunities to teach young children to identify and name their emotions. “When children act out in some way, they’re trying to tell you something,” said Schulz. “Helping a child understand and label their feelings gives them the vocabulary to express themselves and get their needs met. This is turn helps children build their self esteem and feel confident in their world.”

Though early childhood mental health is an important concern, Laura Schulz warns about being too quick to diagnose a child with a disorder. “Just because a child is feeling down one day doesn’t mean they’re depressed,” said Schulz. “If you have serious concerns about your children, make sure they are brought to a developmental pediatrician or psychiatrist.”

Parents or child care providers who have a concern about their child’s behavior are encouraged to call the Birth To Five Helpline, a completely free helpline where they can get their questions answered by an early childhood specialist, at 1-877-705-5437.

“Overall,” Schulz says, “The most important thing parents and caregivers can do to help their children grow into healthy, well-adjusted, productive adults is to create nurturing, trusting, and warm relationships with them. Validate their feelings, respect them as individuals, and create a safe space for them to express themselves,” said Schulz.

Parents can do things such as explain their own emotions to their children, focusing on labeling what they feel and what it means. Parents can also read books about feelings and appropriate ways to express them. It is important that parents encourage safe expression of emotion, rather than telling kids to stop crying or stop feeling a certain way. “No matter what their behavior,” said Schulz, “all children are saying ‘I need to feel safe, secure, and loved.’”

Smart Support is a program funded by First Things First. To learn more about First Things First, please visit ReadyAZKids.com.