Depression in young children does not appear to be increasing

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-08-29 01:00

Australia; NSW

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Depression in children under the age of 13 did not increase over the 15 years before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Australian researchers. The team compiled studies estimating the rate of childhood depressive disorders from 2004-2019, identifying 41 that met the criteria. Combining the results of these studies, the researchers say depression in children was uncommon, and did not appear to rise during the 15 year period. They say while there is not much data available yet on the rates of childhood depression from 2020 onwards, it is likely the COVID-19 pandemic may have since had an impact.