Fassler cautions that parents shouldn't assume depression is one more developmental phase and by ignoring it, it will go away. Depression does often lift after several months if left untreated. But it could mean problems later on, he says. The longer depression goes untreated, the sooner the next episode will occur and the more likely it will persist into adulthood. Parents can help by talking problems through with their children and hearing them out.
School counselors can help, too.
But if problems persist, a mental health counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist is the next logical step. For GiGi and her mother, talking in therapy sessions made a difference. But that didn't happen before GiGi did something drastic first. Two years ago, school officials called GiGi's mother after GiGi showed her band teacher her lightly scarred wrists - as much a cry for help as a suicide attempt. School officials recommended counseling.