Beyond sad - Recognising depression and supporting young people

Adolescence and young adulthood is a period of great change and personal growth.

There are a number of challenges that come along with this life stage — school and work stress, increasing independence, growing social demands and relationship break-ups are just some of the things a young person may grapple with as they move into adulthood. It is therefore unsurprising that, like all of us, young people can have the occasional mood swing, feel irritable or feel sad.

However, sometimes these feelings persist and develop into something more severe, like clinical depression. Perhaps given the increased demands of adolescence, young people are also at an increased risk of developing depression.