Depression in children and teenagers

If your child is in immediate danger or talking about suicide or self-harm, act now. Call 000 (emergency), Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (24/7, ages 5–25), or Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7). You can also contact your GP for an urgent appointment. Online therapy is not the right setting for an acute crisis.

What depression looks like in young people

Depression in children and teenagers is more than sadness or a rough patch — it's a persistent low or irritable mood (irritability is often how it shows up in young people) lasting at least two weeks, alongside changes that affect everyday life. It's a real, common, and treatable condition, not a weakness or a phase to wait out.

Signs to look for:

• Low or irritable mood most days, for two weeks or more
• Loss of interest in things they used to enjoy
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy
• Trouble concentrating; a drop at school
• Hopelessness, worthlessness, or talk of not wanting to be here

That last point matters most: any mention of suicide, self-harm, or hopelessness needs to be acted on immediately using the contacts above.

How psychology helps

Psychological therapy is the first-line treatment for depression in young people, and the evidence is strong. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT-A) are both well-established and effective.^[][] CBT helps a young person notice and shift unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns and rebuild activity and connection; IPT-A focuses on relationships and roles. Treatment is typically delivered over a course of weekly sessions.^[]

For some young people, medication (such as an SSRI) has a role alongside therapy — but that's a decision made carefully with a GP or psychiatrist, weighing benefits and risks.^[] Hey Sprout therapists don't prescribe; we coordinate.

When online is — and isn't — right

Online therapy makes support more accessible and works well for many young people with mild-to-moderate depression. It is not appropriate for acute crisis, high suicide risk, or situations needing immediate in-person care — and we'll always help you connect to local, urgent support when that's what's needed. Safety comes first.

NDIS funding

Depression on its own usually isn't an NDIS access condition — the scheme assesses the functional impact of a permanent disability. Mental-health support for young people is often accessed through a GP mental health treatment plan or services like headspace rather than the NDIS. We can help you understand the options. Families without NDIS funding access sessions privately at the NDIS rate.

What a Hey Sprout session looks like

Sessions run online via secure video, one-to-one for teens with planned parent check-ins, and with more parent involvement for younger children. We assess risk carefully at the outset and throughout, and we'll always prioritise getting a young person the right level of care — including escalating beyond online therapy when that's what safety requires.