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Four-year-olds 'suffer depression'
Children struggle with the pressure of modern life
An increasing number of children - some as young as four - are being diagnosed with depression.
A leading mental health charity says the causes may include the breakdown of family life, and the pressure of modern living.
The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) says children are not always given enough freedom to play and develop at their own pace.
The MHF says more must be done to spot the early warning signs.
A leading mental health charity says the causes may include the breakdown of family life, and the pressure of modern living.
The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) says children are not always given enough freedom to play and develop at their own pace.
The MHF says more must be done to spot the early warning signs.
Mental health is a key part of growing up. This is something about which every parent and every professional and adult who comes into contact with children should be aware  |
Ruth Lesirge, director, Mental Health Foundation
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Director Ruth Lesirge said: "We know that mental health problems in children are on the increase.
"We also know, through our work in school and community projects, that work to promote the good mental health of children and young people is effective.
"We are talking about some quite simple things that will help children to develop networks of friends, increase their self-esteem and self-confidence and give them the skills, confidence and ability to relate to a wide variety of children and adults.
"In essence, it is possible to support the development of key factors that we need to help us grow up to be mentally healthy adults."
The MHF has funded a number of projects promoting good mental health in primary schools.
One was Hexthorp Primary School which successfully worked with individual isolated and withdrawn children as young as six, helping them to make friends, as well as working with whole classes, groups of parents, and individual children who were having difficulty adjusting to school.
Ms Lesirge said: "We are not necessarily talking about children being diagnosed with serious illnesses.
"But we are talking about being aware of the risk factors that might lead to a child developing mental health problems - family breakdown, stress, less freedom to play, isolation and inability to make relationships with other children and adults.
"Mental health is a key part of growing up. This is something about which every parent and every professional and adult who comes into contact with children should be aware."
"We also know, through our work in school and community projects, that work to promote the good mental health of children and young people is effective.
"We are talking about some quite simple things that will help children to develop networks of friends, increase their self-esteem and self-confidence and give them the skills, confidence and ability to relate to a wide variety of children and adults.
"In essence, it is possible to support the development of key factors that we need to help us grow up to be mentally healthy adults."
The MHF has funded a number of projects promoting good mental health in primary schools.
One was Hexthorp Primary School which successfully worked with individual isolated and withdrawn children as young as six, helping them to make friends, as well as working with whole classes, groups of parents, and individual children who were having difficulty adjusting to school.
Ms Lesirge said: "We are not necessarily talking about children being diagnosed with serious illnesses.
"But we are talking about being aware of the risk factors that might lead to a child developing mental health problems - family breakdown, stress, less freedom to play, isolation and inability to make relationships with other children and adults.
"Mental health is a key part of growing up. This is something about which every parent and every professional and adult who comes into contact with children should be aware."
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