Feelings of sadness are a normal part of childhood\/adolescence and in most cases are temporary and often resolve on its own.\u00a0 Depression is characterised by disturbances of mood, sleeping, irritability, decrease in energy, social isolation, school performance is affected and thoughts of self-harm and suicidal ideation have been expressed.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order for referral to CAMHS to be appropriate difficulties should be more than age appropriate variation of mood. There should be a significant change from previous levels of functioning and an impact on daily living.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bipolar disorder is rare in children and relatively uncommon in adolescents. The initial presentation is usually a depressive episode. \u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parents, carers or trusted adults play an important role in supporting their child through experiences of low mood and depression. They help their child feel safe, heard and accepted, and support them to make sense of difficult emotions that can feel overwhelming. By staying connected, responding with warmth and patience, validating feelings, and gently encouraging everyday activities, parents and carers can help reduce withdrawal, build hope, and support recovery over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This leaflet brings together a range of trusted self\u2011help resources to help parents and carers understand depression and learn practical ways to support their child: https:\/\/policyonline.nhslothian.scot\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Resources-for-Parents-and-Carers-Low-Mood-and-Depression.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The full range of resources can also be viewed via CAMHS Depression Online Resources: Parents & Carers \u2013 RefHelp<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n We recommend GPs should advise and review prior to referral as often difficulties can resolve without intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For persistent symptoms, or if concerns exist regarding suicidal thoughts then refer to CAMHS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Specialist services should be involved:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Should the GP consider that an antidepressant is warranted, this should involve a discussion with a psychiatrist.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \u200bFor children who do not meet the criteria for CAMHS you may wish to direct them to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Healthy reading scheme<\/strong> available in some Lothian libraries Self help books on low mood available. Contact the local library for more info or go online to local libraries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk\/depression<\/a> www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk<\/a>(Telephone helpline: 0800 83 85 87)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Telephone\/computerised CBT for age 16+<\/p>\n\n\n\n www.nice.org.uk\/guidance\/cg28<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Edinburgh 0131 552 8901<\/p>\n\n\n\n East Lothian 01368 865218<\/p>\n\n\n\n Midlothian young people’s advice service includes counselling and family counselling services 0131 454 0757<\/p>\n\n\n\n Health Opportunities Team – Edinburgh based charity supporting young people aged 12-25 to improve their physical, sexual and emotional health and wellbeing. Trauma informed work includes, therapeutic 1:1, ‘Feel Good’ groups, weekly drop ins, 1:1 and group work with young people affected by their own or parental substance use, RSHP education and group work in Schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1a Queens Walk info@healthopportunities.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Parent helpline.Information and advice on young people\u2019s emotional wellbeing and mental health. www.youngminds.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Mental Health and Mental Wellbeing Screening group offers a wide variety of support for children young people and their families. Please contact the Children and Young Peoples team on Tel. 01506 282948 or email cypt@westlothian.gov.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n CAMHS Resource-Websites for Children and Adolescent with MH difficulties May 2019<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Feelings of sadness are a normal part of childhood\/adolescence and in most cases are temporary and often resolve on its own. Depression is characterised by disturbances of mood, sleeping, irritability, decrease in energy, social isolation, school performance is affected and thoughts of self-harm and suicidal ideation have been expressed. In order for referral to CAMHS<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":3788,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[381],"class_list":["post-3840","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-depressioncamhs"],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"NHS Lothian","author_link":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/author\/nhs-lothian\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":" Depression (CAMHS)<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Feelings of sadness are a normal part of childhood\/adolescence and in most cases are temporary and often resolve on its own. Depression is characterised by disturbances of mood, sleeping, irritability, decrease in energy, social isolation, school performance is affected and thoughts of self-harm and suicidal ideation have been expressed. In order for referral to CAMHS","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3840","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3840"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3840\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27837,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3840\/revisions\/27837"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3840"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3840"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}CAMHS Depression Online Resources for Parents and Carers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/ul>\n
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Locality based mental health information\/resources<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Helpful websites<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
www.depressioninteenagers.com<\/a> NOT WORKING
www.beatingtheblues.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
NICE Guidelines:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Cross reach Counselling Services<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
MYPAS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Health Opportunities Team<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
EH16 4EA
Tel 01314684600<\/p>\n\n\n\nYoung Minds<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Tel: 0808 802 5544<\/p>\n\n\n\nWest Lothian:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n