--- title: 'Identifying Depression at School: Tips For Teachers' url: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/depression/identifying-depression-at-school-tips-for-teachers' markdown: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/depression/identifying-depression-at-school-tips-for-teachers.md' date: '2026-03-23' description: 'Key Symptoms of Depressive Disorders Download the factsheet Depressive Disorders of childhood are characterised by: Feelings of sadness and/or low or irritable mood Loss of interest and /or pleasure Fatigue or low energy Associated symptoms: Poor concentration Indecisiveness Guilt or self-blame Low self confidence Poor or increased sleep Poor or increased appetite Agitation or slowing down of movements Self-harming or suicidal behaviour Making A Diagnosis In order to make a diagnosis of depression the key symptoms must be present, and the mood change must be persistent for at least 2 weeks although these diagnostic criteria may differ in children who show more variable moods and behaviours. Depending on the number of associated symptoms the depressive disorders can range from mild to severe forms. Manifestation of symptoms The clinical symptoms manifest themselves differently through age with young children (who are depressed) being more prone to irritability, worries and separation anxiety, phobias and somatic complaints such as non-specific aches and pains. Children who have been exposed to a bereavement, parental divorce or separation, moving house and neighbourhood, family ill health, parental mental illness and/or discord, bullying and inability to follow their school work, are more likely to be predisposed to developing depressive symptoms. At School Children may not have all the symptoms of depression required for a clinical diagnosis but a teacher may notice that some children look sad, are withdrawn, often cry at the smallest thing, are sometimes uncharacteristically aggressive and do not want to play or be with their friends. They are finding it difficult to follow their schoolwork. What teachers can do Talking to the child and listening is of utmost importance. Often the child will openly say that they are unhappy when asked directly. They will also be able to tell a teacher what it is, specifically, what is making them unhappy. A teacher can watch the child and be alert to their behaviour and feelings. Bringing them from the back of the classroom to the front can be helpful. Allowing extra time so they can catch up with their work is essential. Making decisions can be difficult when depressed, so allowing plenty of time for even the simplest of tasks is recommended. Self-confidence will be improved through regular praise. Finding a ‘buddy’ to befriend a child who is withdrawn and unhappy during breaks and play time may be helpful. Incorporating physical activities into the daily routine of the whole class will benefit the depressed child but the whole class as well. Ensuring that the child is eating healthily and getting enough exercise and sleep is achieved through liaison with the parent/carer. What to do next Should symptoms persist or worsen, the child should be referred for more specialised help such as a designated mental health school lead or local support team or CAMHS team. Parental and carer permission should be sought at all stages during the period of watchful waiting, in providing classroom assistance and ultimately, at the point of referral, for more specialist help. Depressive disorders of childhood can be successfully treated with psychological therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and in older children judiciously applied medication is of benefit. Download the factsheet Further support and information NICE Guidelines for Depression including child and parent guides Young Minds Place to Be Dr Gordana Milavic M.D., F.R.C.Psych Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Michael Rutter Centre, Maudsley Hospital Conduct Problems Clinic and Adoption and Fostering Team' taxonomy: category: - 'Mental Health' tag: - 'School Life' - Depression type: - Factsheet contributor: - 'Dr Gordana Milavic' partner: - 'South London and Maudsley' --- # Identifying Depression at School: Tips For Teachers #### Table of Contents - [Key Symptoms of Depressive Disorders](#key-symptoms-of-depressiv) - [Depressive Disorders of childhood are characterised by:](#depressive-disorders-of-c) - [Associated symptoms:](#associated-symptoms) - [Making A Diagnosis](#making-a-diagnosis) - [Manifestation of symptoms](#manifestation-of-symptoms) - [At School](#at-school) - [What teachers can do](#what-teachers-can-do) - [What to do next](#what-to-do-next) - [Further support and information](#further-support-and-infor) ## Key Symptoms of Depressive Disorders [ ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/depression/identifying-depression-at-school-tips-for-teachers/id:dd23f8f1d04614ad8379b94043df3868) ### Depressive Disorders of childhood are characterised by: - Feelings of sadness and/or low or irritable mood - Loss of interest and /or pleasure - Fatigue or low energy ### Associated symptoms: - Poor concentration - Indecisiveness - Guilt or self-blame - Low self confidence - Poor or increased sleep - Poor or increased appetite - Agitation or slowing down of movements - Self-harming or suicidal behaviour ## Making A Diagnosis In order to make a diagnosis of depression the key symptoms must be present, and the mood change must be persistent for at least 2 weeks although these diagnostic criteria may differ in children who show more variable moods and behaviours. Depending on the number of associated symptoms the depressive disorders can range from mild to severe forms. ## Manifestation of symptoms The clinical symptoms manifest themselves differently through age with young children (who are depressed) being more prone to irritability, worries and separation anxiety, phobias and somatic complaints such as non-specific aches and pains. Children who have been exposed to a bereavement, parental divorce or separation, moving house and neighbourhood, family ill health, parental mental illness and/or discord, bullying and inability to follow their school work, are more likely to be predisposed to developing depressive symptoms. ## At School Children may not have all the symptoms of depression required for a clinical diagnosis but a teacher may notice that some children look sad, are withdrawn, often cry at the smallest thing, are sometimes uncharacteristically aggressive and do not want to play or be with their friends. They are finding it difficult to follow their schoolwork. ## What teachers can do Talking to the child and listening is of utmost importance. Often the child will openly say that they are unhappy when asked directly. They will also be able to tell a teacher what it is, specifically, what is making them unhappy. A teacher can watch the child and be alert to their behaviour and feelings. Bringing them from the back of the classroom to the front can be helpful. Allowing extra time so they can catch up with their work is essential. Making decisions can be difficult when depressed, so allowing plenty of time for even the simplest of tasks is recommended. Self-confidence will be improved through regular praise. Finding a ‘buddy’ to befriend a child who is withdrawn and unhappy during breaks and play time may be helpful. Incorporating physical activities into the daily routine of the whole class will benefit the depressed child but the whole class as well. Ensuring that the child is eating healthily and getting enough exercise and sleep is achieved through liaison with the parent/carer. ## What to do next Should symptoms persist or worsen, the child should be referred for more specialised help such as a designated mental health school lead or local support team or CAMHS team. Parental and carer permission should be sought at all stages during the period of watchful waiting, in providing classroom assistance and ultimately, at the point of referral, for more specialist help. Depressive disorders of childhood can be successfully treated with psychological therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and in older children judiciously applied medication is of benefit. [ ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/depression/identifying-depression-at-school-tips-for-teachers/id:dd23f8f1d04614ad8379b94043df3868) ## Further support and information NICE Guidelines for Depression including child and parent guides [Young Minds](https://youngminds.org.uk/)[Place to Be](https://www.place2be.org.uk/) Dr Gordana Milavic M.D., F.R.C.Psych Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Michael Rutter Centre, Maudsley Hospital Conduct Problems Clinic and Adoption and Fostering Team --- Was this helpful? 0 0 Share: [ Previous Post](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/unsure-about-therapy) [Next Post ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/home-life/families-under-pressure/managing-negative-feelings) #### Other Related Posts: ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/01.depression/can-children-be-depressed/sad-child-with-mum-in-background.jpg) ### Factsheet: Can children be depressed? [Factsheet: Can children be depressed?](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/depression/can-children-be-depressed) What to do if you think your child or a child you are caring for is depressed. Signs and symptoms to watch out for, when to refer for extra help, and how… [ Bullying ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Bullying) [ School Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:School%20Life) [ Home Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Home%20Life) [ Depression ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Depression) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/03.toolkit/04.school-life/practical-classroom-tips-for-neurodivergence-and-mental-health/OCDStill005.jpg) ### Factsheet: Practical classroom tips for neurodivergence and mental health [Factsheet: Practical classroom tips for neurodivergence and mental health](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/practical-classroom-tips-for-neurodivergence-and-mental-health) Here are some simple tips to help accommodate the different needs of children in the classroom [ Anxiety ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Anxiety) [ School Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:School%20Life) [ Depression ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Depression) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Neurodivergence ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Neurodivergence) [ PTSD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:PTSD) [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) [ ODD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ODD) [ Conduct Disorder ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Conduct%20Disorder) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/01.depression/helping-children-with-depression/child-depressed-at-school.jpg) ### Article: Helping children with depression [Article: Helping children with depression](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/depression/helping-children-with-depression) By understanding risk factors for depression and supporting children to meet these challenges, we can encourage better mental health outcomes. 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