1. If your teenager is depressed, don’t ignore it. As soon as you can, find a quiet time to talk.
  2. In a loving yet direct way, tell your child which signs of depression you’ve noticed in him or her (see “Is It Depression or Typical Teenage Behavior?” for a list of the warning signs).
  3. Explain that depression is an illness—a disturbance of brain chemistry—and that a mental illness can be treated just like any other illness.
  4. Be positive. Reassure your child that mental health therapy is an effective treatment for depression. Explain that the best therapy is a combination of talk therapy and antidepressant drugs.
  5. Listen carefully and nonjudgmentally to your teen’s response. Take all the time you need to learn his or her perspective on the problem. Emphasize that the two of you will work together to come up with a plan that will help him or her feel better. Answer any questions your kid has about depression and its treatment.
  6. Work with your child to find treatment. Start with a visit to your family doctor to make sure that there isn’t another explanation for his or her behavior besides depression. Get a referral to a specialist in adolescent psychology. If your doctor can’t help, try a local hospital, social service agency, or community clinic.
  7. Make sure that your teen understands that it may take a while to find the combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant drugs that works best for him or her. Remind your child that he or she has already done the hardest part—recognizing depression and getting help for it—and that you’ll keep at it until he or she is back to normal.