What is depression?

Depression is a mental health condition that can cause you to feel sad and have a low mood.

While it is common to feel down sometimes, if you feel this way for 2 or more weeks, or your mood gets in the way of your daily activities, you may be experiencing depression.

For many people with depression, symptoms first start in adolescence or young adulthood.

This information is about depression in young people. Many aspects and risk factors of depression do not vary by age. Read more on depression in the general community.

If your child is showing signs of depression, read more on depression in children.

What are the symptoms of depression in young people?

Symptoms of depression involve the way you feel, think and behave. Many symptoms of depression in young people are similar to those in adults.

It may be hard to separate the signs of depression in young people from typical mood changes that are a normal part of growing up.

Symptoms of depression can include:

• anger or irritability
• extreme feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• withdrawal from others
• difficulty with daily self-care tasks
• feeling teary and sensitive

You may also feel:

• sad, moody, empty, numb or unmotivated
• tired
• pessimistic
• as if everything feels 'too hard'
• uninterested in things you normally enjoy
• that making decisions is too hard
• you're having trouble concentrating or remembering things

You may also notice physical signs of depression, such as:

• trouble sleeping or insomnia, oversleeping or staying in bed most of the day
• changes in appetite with or without changes in weight
• physical problems, such as stomach aches, nausea or headaches
• low energy

Almost everyone occasionally experiences some of these symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or won't go away after 2 weeks, you may be experiencing depression.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

If your depression becomes severe, you may have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Suicide is the leading cause of death for young people. Young people also have the highest rates of hospitalisation for intentional self-harm.

If you or someone you care about is thinking about suicide, it's important that you seek help.

Suicide and crisis support

Signs of suicidal thoughts or plans are often not obvious.

Read more about suicide warning signs.

If you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts and is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). For help and support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

What causes depression in young people?

The causes of depression are different for every person. Everyone with depression has a unique set of circumstances. A combination of factors can contribute to your mood. Some factors linked with depression are:

• family history of depression
• conflict at home or a stressful environment
• parents or carers with poor mental health
• social issues and loneliness
• a history of anxiety or other mental health issues
• substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs
• excessive social media use and poor sleep habits

Some personality traits and learned ways of thinking may make you more likely to develop depression. These include:

• pessimism
• self-doubt
• low self-esteem
• moodiness
• being highly sensitive

Traumatic or stressful events can trigger depression, such as:

• physical or sexual abuse
• relationship break-ups
• family relocation during a vulnerable time
• a death or divorce in the family
• big changes in routine or lifestyle
• bullying at school or online

Increased use of social media can affect young people's wellbeing and may contribute to depression. Social media is linked to:

• cyberbullying
• lack of sleep
• sedentary lifestyle (sitting too much)
• addiction
• comparison and low self-esteem
• less in-person social interaction
• self-harm and other risk-taking behaviour

Sometimes, people can develop depression for no obvious reason. Just because there is no clear cause doesn't mean that you are not experiencing depression.

When should I talk to a doctor?

If you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts and is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). For help and support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

If you have signs of depression for 2 or more weeks, or if you are concerned that you may be depressed, speak to your doctor. The sooner you can get help, the sooner you can start to feel better.

Seek help if:

• you are feeling sad, teary or overwhelmed most of the time
• these feelings have been with you for 2 or more weeks
• your low mood affects how you cope at home, work or school

If you have occasional signs of depression or are just feeling sad, you could reach out to a school counsellor, friend or family member for help.

Some people with depression feel that life is too difficult, not worth living or even that they themselves are worthless. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, don't wait — seek help now.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is depression in young people diagnosed?

A health professional, such as a general practitioner (GP), psychiatrist or psychologist, can diagnose depression. If you are concerned about your mental health, or the mental health of someone you care about, contact your GP.

To diagnose depression, your doctor will do a mental health assessment. This usually involves a discussion or answering a questionnaire, as well as a physical examination. This will help your doctor identify the cause of your symptoms.

Your doctor will want to understand how you feel and think. This can help them work out whether there are underlying causes for your symptoms. You should also tell them if you have felt this way before or had any episodes of mania.

If you have a family history of mental illness — either depression or another condition — tell your GP, as this can help with your diagnosis.

Your answers will also help your GP decide if a specialist such as a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist might be helpful.

How can I help a young person with depression?

If a young person you know talks to you about feeling sad or having symptoms of depression, or if you think they may be depressed, encourage them to speak to their school counsellor or doctor. In many cases, young people need help from a doctor or mental health professional to treat depression.

Some people with depression find it hard to have the energy or motivation to take care of themselves. They may feel hopeless, or like nothing can help. Supporting them and guiding them towards professional help will make their recovery process easier.

Sometimes people with depression don't want to seek help. The best thing you can do is to explain to them that you are concerned and provide reliable information about depression.

It can help to remind them that many young people experience mental health problems, with depression being the most common. Assure them that there's nothing to be embarrassed about and doctors help people their age with depression all the time.

If seeing a doctor seems too difficult, you can suggest one of the online or telephone support services, such as those listed in the resources and support below.

Read the healthdirect page on how to help someone with depression.

How is depression in young people treated?

Your doctor can help you build a mental health treatment plan. Your mental health treatment plan may include different strategies and tools. Your doctor may refer you to other health professionals, such as a mental health worker who specialises in adolescents, if they think they should be involved.

This plan will help you get up to 10 Medicare-subsidised sessions per year with a mental health professional such as a social worker, occupational therapist or psychologist. Ask about any fees or out-of-pocket costs when you book your appointment.

Your doctor will work with you to use strategies to help you cope. This can include stress management, problem solving and activity planning.

They may also suggest psychological therapy to help you manage symptoms of depression. One of the helpful types of therapy for young people with depression is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medicines for depression (antidepressants) or refer you to a psychiatrist. It is important that you check in regularly with your doctor if you have started taking medicines for depression. Don't stop taking your medicines suddenly, or change how you take them without first speaking with your doctor or a pharmacist. You will usually have psychological therapy at the same time if you start taking antidepressants.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

What are the complications of depression in young people?

Depression can lead to mental health and physical complications in young people. When depression becomes very severe, you may experience distressing or unwanted thoughts. These can even lead to self-harm or suicide. If someone you care about has severe depression, learn the warning signs.

Young people who experience depression may have psychiatric problems that continue into adulthood. Treating depression and improving mental health can help prevent problems later in life.

Can depression in young people be prevented?

Even if you are more likely to get depression, there's a lot you can do to support your mental health. Some proven strategies to help look after your mental health and prevent depression are:

• get enough sleep
• eat a healthy diet
• exercise
• limit the amount of alcohol you drink
• practise relaxation techniques

From December 2025, Australia implemented restrictions regarding the age of young people able to access social media. Reducing your social media use may help lower some triggers linked to depression in young people.

You can see a psychologist even if you're not depressed. This is a good way to maintain your mental health.

Resources and support

If you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts and is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). For help and support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

There are many resources and supports available to help young people with depression.

• ReachOut can help you learn how to challenge negative thoughts that may be making your depression worse.
• Speak with Kids Helpline about depression on 1800 55 1800 or via webchat.
• Text Lifeline on 0477 13 11 14 for a confidential chat with a trained Lifeline Crisis Supporter.
• Headspace provides mental health services to 12 to 25 year olds.
• The Black Dog Institute has digital tools and apps for your mental health and wellbeing.
• Beyond Blue has a guide to what works for depression in young people.
• If you are a parent of a young person with depression, learn about how to discuss depression with you child using the resources provided by Beyond Blue.
• Share your experiences on My Circle, a free social platform for people aged between 12 and 25 years and supported by Kids Helpline counsellors.

For telephone counselling support for people at risk and those affected by suicide, call the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

If you are experiencing depression related to your sexuality or gender identity (LGBTQI+), QLife provides a counselling and referral service for LGBTQI+ people. You can call them on 1800 184 527 from 3pm to midnight every day.

Languages other than English

• Embrace Multicultural Mental Health has services and information available.
• This Way Up has translated resources on mental health topics.
• The Transcultural Mental Health Centre has translated mental health resources in more than 40 languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

• For more information on mental health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, visit the Black Dog Institute.
• Beyond Blue has information on how depression affects Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• 13YARN — for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in crisis and need support — call 13 92 76.
• WellMob has online resources to support mental health.