Depressed children need more support, says Nice

More needs to be done to improve care and support for children who suffer from depression, health experts have said.

Depression in children is more common than people think and there must be clear steps in place so health workers can deliver the best care to those affected, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said.

If a doctor suspects a child is depressed they must endeavour to make a diagnosis and record it in the child’s medical records, says Nice’s new quality standards. Experts also need to ensure there is “age appropriate” material so that children can understand their diagnosis and treatment.

Severe depression affects nearly 80,000 children and young people in the UK including more than 8,000 under-10s, figures suggest.