The teenage years are infamous turbulent. Adolescents are establishing their own identities, doing more things independently, trying out different roles, taking more roles socially, and possibly experimenting with drugs and alcohol, and all of this can come with emotional costs.

            In early adolescence, boys and girls are equally affected by depression. But after puberty, girls are about twice as likely as boys to become depressed.

            The good news for mom and dad is that “a secure, warm, loving relationship with a parent can be a protective factor against depression, especially for girls.

            Here are the eight tips that every parent should know whose teens may be depressed according to Beresin.

1. Observe changes in your kids – Turn into behavioral clues that can reveal on how teens are feeling. A teen may shut down, or suddenly have a major personality change, such as becoming quieter or sadder.

2. Notice patterns – If you see a major change in your teens’ patterns, to the point where your child almost seems like a different person and it cuts across different situations, meaning it’s happening at home, at school and with friends, then you have to worry.

3. Get outside information –Find out from other people who know your teen – coaches, teachers, friends and patterns of friends – whether your teen seems different around them.

4. Talk with your kids – Have regular conversations with teens and younger children about what they are doing and how they are feeling. Be sure to ask probing questions but avoid grilling teens.

5. Open a door – Open a door for your children especially when they need someone to talk to, someone who is willing to listen to their problems, someone who knows how to give advices. A child always need their parents especially when in times of circumstances.

People think depression is sadness and crying. People think depression is dressing in black. But people are wrong. Depression is the constant feeling of being numb, being numb to emotions, being numb to life.

For all those who feel overlooked and unappreciated, for the countless things you do that no one sees or acknowledges, God sees you and will bless you accordingly.