Experiencing low mood top tips

Feeling sad is a normal reaction. Everyone feels sad and low in mood sometimes but if these feelings persist and stop your child from doing their day-to-day activities this may be a sign that your child is experiencing depression.

Expressing how they are feeling

Help your child to express how they are feeling.

Asking your child how they feel and letting them know their feelings are normal, is very important. If your child is unable to say how they feel, you might need to help them make sense of their feelings. You can start by letting them know what you have noticed and reassuring them that their feelings are ok. Your child might prefer to use other ways to express their feelings such as writing or drawing.

Encourage your child to spend some time each day with people they feel comfortable with and help them to engage in fun and relaxing activities.

Things they find difficult

Help your child to face things they find difficult.

If children avoid things they find difficult they can lose confidence. This should be done gradually, with your support and reassurance.

Getting active

Help your child to be active.

Being active releases ‘feel good’ endorphins and can help to lift our mood. This can be something as simple as a gentle walk or it could be taking part in sports or exercise.

Encourage your child to spend time in nature and to get plenty of fresh air

Thoughts

You can try to encourage your child to keep a ‘positive diary’.

For example, at the end of the day you can ask them to list 5 good things about the day and help them to come up with the answers.

Encourage your child to try and be a ‘thought detective’.

Help your child to identify their unhelpful or negative thoughts and look at the facts for and against each thought. Help your child to come up with a more helpful thought instead. If your child is stuck on their negative thought it may help to ask them what they think is the worst thing that could happen if the thought was true. This should be done when your child is calm.

Getting help

If you think that your child might be depressed it is important to seek help from a professional such as your GP.

If you are worried about any aspect of your child’s mental health you can call the charity YoungMinds’ free parents’ helpline on 0808 802 5544 for advice.

What to do in an emergency or crisis

If your child is under 16 and is in immediate risk of serious harm or injury, you should call the emergency services by dialling 999 or attend Sheffield Children’s Hospital Emergency Department on 0114 271 7000.

If your child is 16 years old or over please attend Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital on 0114 243 4343.

Look after yourself too and find support for yourself.