Are you the parent of a child who is often depressed? Are you a child who often feels down in the dumps and depressed? This article offers advice for both parents, other family members and children about how to deal with, reduce and even eradicate this depression.

I remember from my own childhood having many periods when I was very unhappy and sad. I was the type of person who would let aspects from my life get on top of me which would at times affect my sleep patterns. I found growing up through childhood, into a teenager and ultimately into my adulthood as one big choir and struggle. I was forever comparing my own life to that of my brother, sister and friends. Their lives seemed so much easier than what mine was and this made me feel quite jealous of them.

Looking back one of my faults was that I was not willing to discuss my worries and fears with my parents and basically kept them bottled up inside of me. This meant of course that I had to deal with each and every issue (problem) on my own without any outside help or advice. I wish that I had been more open with my family as I think my life would have been that much happier if I had.

I am now a parent of two children myself and am always looking out for them. I try and gage how they are coping with life and if I feel that they are in an unhappy period or mood, I then attempt to find out what is causing this by trying to talk to them. They are not always happy to discuss these issues but I then make sure that they understand that I will be here for them when they are ready to open up. I talk to them about my own childhood and about the mistakes I feel that I made by keeping my own worries to myself.

I want my children to realise that they can talk to me about any aspect of their life and that I will be here to help and not judge them. Life in general, with school as an example, can at times be quite tough, with things such as bullying affecting a lot of children. There is the added pressure of examinations and also trying to establish ones self within a group of friends. Moving schools and going through all of the bodily changes can also be quite uncomfortable for many children.

As a family we try to make our childrens home life as enjoyable and relaxed as possible. This includes many family days out and where financially possible, a family holiday abroad in the summer.

My advice to any parent who has an unhappy or often depressed child would be to be very patient with them through these periods. I, as I have already stated would try and get them to talk about what is making them feel in this way and if they do not want to talk, would let them know that I am there for them if they do ever want a chat etc.

My advice for a child who is feeling depressed would be to talk to your family, a friend or a teacher. They say that a problem shared is a problem halved and I really believe in this statement. You do not have to be alone in this world and the advice that you are given could be of huge benefit to you. Despite what you might think all children have problems and worry about many different aspects of their own life. Your parents were of course children many moons ago and may have experience in the issues which you are not happy about. Do not make the same mistakes that I did by keeping these problems to yourself as it does not help to reduce your fears or depression.

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Bullying is a form of violence that hurts others and it can happen at school or during school-sponsored activities, according to the National School Safety Center. A bully’s power can come from their physical strength, age, financial status, popularity, social status, technological skills or by association. Both boys and girls can be bullies.

What can educators do about classroom bullying? What can students and their parents do to reduce the problem?

There is much everyone can do, according to the NSSC. For teachers, preventing and responding to classroom bullying should not create an additional burden. In fact, the same atmosphere that promotes effective and successful teaching and learning will address student bullying. Here are some strategies teachers can use, as offered by the NSSC:

• Modeling desired attitudes and behaviors.
• Fostering student-shared responsibility for the classroom’s overall social and physical environment.
• Establishing and communicating rules and sanctions regarding bullying and applying those rules fairly and consistently.
• Identifying and intervening on “gateway” behaviors and attitudes that could lead to harassment.
• Teaching students how to ask for help and how to report cruelty, harassment and bullying.

• Referring critical bullying cases to sources of support.

Parents can help by remembering that they are their children’s first teachers. The words and actions they see and hear at home become words and actions used in other settings, such as at school. Parents are encouraged to be positive role models for their children and teach by example. Instruct your children that bullying is unacceptable and can be dangerous. Teaching basic manners will also help, as will teaching children how to show respect for others.

As for students, there are bullies, there are targets and there are bystanders. Bystanders are a powerful majority at any school, and they also have the power to create safe and comfortable schools for themselves and others. They can use their social power to promote respect.

Bystanders should be warned against trying to protect a student or group of students who are being bullied, but their parents and teachers can let these students know that the most important thing they can do is to report bullying when they see it happening to others.

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