Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents: What to Know and How to Help

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that up to 1 out of 5 children experience a mental disorder each year. Diagnoses of depression and anxiety are more common with increased age, and many children go without needed mental health treatment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a spike in mental health concerns, particularly for children and teenagers who are home more and facing new social stresses. Many families are under a great deal of pressure, and it’s increasingly likely that the pandemic will have a lasting impact on mental health.

But families facing these struggles are not alone—helpful resources and tools are available. Your pediatrician is part of the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network (VHAN), a committed group of providers across the state working to support the physical, behavioral and social needs of communities. VHAN is partnering with your pediatrician for a webinar featuring the kind of behavioral health information and practical support that families need right now.

During this webinar, VHAN behavioral health and clinical experts will share:

• How to identify warning signs of depression
• How to identify signs of anxiety disorders in both young and older children
• When to seek help for your child
• How to come up with a mental health safety plan
• How to engage and validate your child’s feelings in a healthy way
• What you can do to care for yourself while caring for your family