Joy is a gift from God, but we have a part to play. Once the enemy has stolen our joy, how do we recover? It seems like it would be difficult, but it’s really not that hard. God has given us the tools we need and our victory is assured.
In recent posts, we’ve discussed the very important reality of understanding depression in children, depression in teens, and their risk for suicide. Many parents may now be wondering if childhood or teen depression can be prevented? That’s one of the questions we’ll be addressing today. We’ll also be discussing what we need to know to best help those we love who are depressed.
Depression always carries with it a high risk of suicide. While this discussion can be frightening, if not alarming, to some adults, there are specific risk factors and warning signs that parents can look for in their children and teens. Knowing this information could save lives.
As a parent it can be difficult to know whether your teen is experiencing depression or normal teenage behavior. This post provides valuable information for parents of teens. Less than 33% of teens with depression get help, yet eighty percent of teens with depression can be successfully treated. Untreated depression in teens can have detrimental consequences.
In many circles there exists a myth that childhood depression doesn’t exist, but that simply isn’t the truth. Although it may be more common for adolescents to experience depression, children as young as 3 years old can have depression. Over the past three decades I’ve seen the incidence of childhood and teen depression rise significantly. It’s a serious illness, but also one that is treatable.
The enemy comes to steal our joy, kill our peace and destroy our identity. But don’t despair. Scripture says “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Once we are aware of the enemy’s tactics, we can fight them head on.
