Research Report 1997-1998 Disorders of Childhood Interdisciplinary Research Group Work in Progress Childhood depression Mental health professionals once thought that depressive disorders were rare in young people. This Group's research has been instrumental in showing that this is not the case.
Depression is a major mental health problem in childhood and adolescence.
Depression in childhood can lead on to major depressive disorders in adult life and a great increase in suicidal behaviour. The particular focus is on people who are now adult, but came to The Maudsley Hospital when they were children or adolescents because of depressive symptoms. We need to know what the protective factors are. The research will also lead to recognising different subtypes of depression. Suicide rates in young people are rising.