Once your child begins to talk, let her talk about whatever she wants to talk about and don't criticize. The important thing is that she's talking and communicating her feelings. This will help your child begin to realize that her feelings and thoughts really do matter, that you truly care about her, and that you never stopped caring even when she became depressed. The good news is that there are professionals who can help your child. But if it goes untreated, depression can be deadly.
Depression is the number-one cause of suicide.
Depression is commonly treated with a combination of therapy and medicine. A psychiatrist can prescribe medicine, and although it may take a few tries to find the right one for your child, most children who follow the regimen eventually begin to feel better. Therapy focuses on the causes of the depression and works to help change negative thoughts and find ways to allow your child to feel better. Feeling is healing, and talking about feelings can be a powerful antidote for depression. A good therapist will communicate this to your child.