If your child is between ages 12 and 18, the U.S. Preventative Task Force is recommends routine screening for depression. The Task Force based their advice on new evidence indicating that, by asking a series of questions, your child’s doctor can accurately detect clinical depression and lead to early treatment. "Depression in adolescents has a significant impact on both mental and physical health, and adolescents with depression have more hospitalizations for psychiatric and medical issues than adolescents who are not depressed," said Task Force Chair Ned Calonge, M.D., who is also chief medical officer for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Depression is common among children and teenagers, and the risk of depression rises sharply at puberty. Some studies have found that as many as 8 in 100 teenagers are depressed. It can get worse and badly affect your child’s development—causing problems both at home and in school—if it isn't treated, and depressed children may be at risk for suicide. Some signs that your child might be depressed are:

• Being sad or irritable most of the day, nearly everyday
• Losing interest in all or most activities they used to find fun
• Eating too little or too much
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Feeling restless or sluggish