Is your child missing school due to depression?
October 30, 2020
Teenage depression is becoming all the more common these days. According to the World Health Organisation, it’s the number one cause of illness and disability in adolescents. This could be due to a variety of factors that include not being happy at school, struggling to make friends, and even the changes that are part of adolescence. When it comes to flagging depression in teenagers, knowing what to look out for can make all the difference. Not only does this make parents able to identify it, they’ll also be able to take action and offer support before it’s too late.
Is teenage depression the reason why your child is missing school? Whilst not every child is the same, there are many red flags that parents should be taking note of. Often, these might be once-off occurrences and as a result, are nothing to worry about. Should you notice that these persist or if there are any patterns, it is definitely time to step in. Here are a few tell-tale signs that might apply in your family’s case.
1) Irritability, anger and indifference
With depression often taking a toll on sleep patterns, it’s common for teens who are suffering to become angry or irritated at the drop of a hat. They might be inclined to lash out at friends or family members. You might even notice that they’re more impatient than they were before. Indifference is another indicator and your child might seem as if they don’t care about anything really. This is depression stealing all feelings, both positive and negative. If your child appears indifferent when they do something that they’d normally love, it could very well be depression.
2) Pulling back from things and people they used to enjoy
Aside from appearing indifferent, if your child tends to avoid people, situations and activities that they once loved, you might want to pay attention. This is one way in which depression takes a toll on teens. This is usually followed by them making excuses to skip or cancel things they wouldn’t have missed normally.
3) Aches, pains and fatigue
Believe it or not, depression is also a physical illness. This means your child might have symptoms like joint pain, headaches, stomach discomfort, back pain or even exhaustion. If they’re using these to miss school on a regular basis, it’s time to take action.
4) A tendency to give up
Depression leads to helplessness and hopelessness. These two things trigger low self-esteem. This could see your child giving up on goals or relationships that were once important to them. You might also notice that your child distancing themselves from friends and activities like sports or other hobbies.
5) Changes in their school marks and eating habits
With the low concentration and decreased energy that comes with depression, your child might have a hard time getting the good results they once did. You might notice that their marks have dipped. It’s also worth talking to their teacher to see if they’ve noticed anything in class. Where eating is concerned, your child may start to eat less or even binge on certain foods in an attempt to soothe their feelings.
At Abbotts College, we support your child through every avenue of their school career. It’s why we offer our students and their parents everything they need for a successful educational journey.
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As the preliminary and final examinations approach, both students and parents or guardians often experience heightened anxiety and stress. This guide provides practical strategies to help parents and guardians support their children through this critical phase of their academic journey. 1. Foster Effective Organization Create an environment conducive to studying by providing a quiet, well-lit study space equipped with essential stationery. Collaborate with your child to develop a structured study timetable to set clear expectations and promote disciplined preparation. Encourage the use of resources such as past question papers, which serve as valuable tools for revision and practice. 2. Maintain Daily Check-Ins Schedule regular, intentional conversations, such as during dinner, to discuss your child’s progress. Inquire about their experience with the day’s examination paper, adherence to their study schedule, and their feelings about upcoming tests. These check-ins foster open communication and allow you to gauge their emotional and academic state. 3. Minimize Distractions Help your child stay focused by keeping electronic devices like phones, tablets, and gaming consoles out of reach during study sessions. Set boundaries on screen time and social media access to prevent procrastination. While challenging, limiting Wi-Fi access during study hours can significantly enhance productivity. 4. Support Emotional Awareness Encourage your child to identify and articulate their emotions, such as anxiety, stress, or fatigue . Recognizing these feelings is the first step toward addressing them effectively. Discuss coping strategies to help them navigate emotional challenges during this period. 5. Teach Self-Regulation Techniques Guide your child in practicing self-regulation to manage stress. Techniques include: Breathing Exercises : Inhale deeply for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, and repeat. Sensory Focus : Identify five things they can see or hear to ground themselves in the moment. Tactile Stimulation : Hold a cold object to shift focus and reduce anxiety. These methods can help your child regain calm and focus during stressful moments. 6. Promote a Balanced Routine Prolonged study sessions late into the night can lead to burnout. Monitor your child’s study habits and encourage breaks to maintain balance. Plan activities such as outings with friends, a family meal, or short recreational periods with access to devices. Engaging in non-academic activities, like helping prepare dinner, can provide a refreshing change of focus. 7. Prioritize Self-Care Support your child’s well-being by ensuring they: Eat nutritious, regular meals. Get at least eight hours of sleep by limiting screen time before bed. Engage in physical activities such as walking, jogging, yoga, dancing, or gym workouts. These practices help alleviate stress and anxiety, which are common during examination periods. 8. Practice Empathy and Patience The examination period can be emotionally taxing for both students and parents. Approach your child with empathy, actively listening and offering guidance without criticism. This fosters a supportive environment, bolstering their mental health and sense of inclusion. By implementing these strategies, parents and guardians can play a pivotal role in helping their children navigate the challenges of examinations with confidence and resilience. Good luck to all the Grade 12 students with the upcoming examinations - you most certainly can do it!
