Spring spike in youth depression

Cases of young people with mental disorders have increased by nearly 15 percent in the last two months, compared with the same period last year, Beijing Anding Hospital told the Global Times yesterday.

Cui Yonghua, director of the department of child psychiatry at Anding hospital, Xicheng district, said that there is a spike in the numbers of Chinese youngsters seeking help for depression in spring.

Whereas seasonal affective disorder symptoms, or SAD, is commonly associated with winter in many nations, in spring, Chinese students need to face the challenges of a new semester, and this is an important reason for the increase in young patients at this time.

"Many are diagnosed with depression, or on the brink of depression, one of most common mental disorders children suffer from," Cui said.

He has narrowed down the possibilities to conclude that genetic factors, particular personality types, and environmental stresses may be responsible for depression and other disorders.

Compared with treating adults, doctors face more difficulties in dealing with children.

"Many parents reject medication, as they worry about side effects and possible dependence. But medication is key to our treatment," Cui said.

Psychological treatment is important, but many patients do not have enough time for systematic treatment, due to classes or other family issues.

Experts have called for more public awareness of mental health issues affecting the young, after a college student committed suicide on Sunday.

A student in Nanjing posted a message on her microblog Sunday, which said: "I'm depressed, so I'm going to die... you don't need to care about my departure. Bye bye." The student then hung herself.

"It's easy for us to ignore depression, but it's widespread among youngsters. People suffering from mental disorders need professional treatment," said Zhang Jimin, an expert from the psychological counseling center of Beijing Normal University.

He pointed out that genetics may increase the risk of suffering depression, which may then occur in generation after generation of a family.

Many people have blamed cases of child depression on Chinese parenting style, or on the education system.

"I don't see a direct link between the environment and depression, but we can say that environmental stresses may trigger the disorder, such as the death of a parent, divorce or study stress," Zhang said.

According to a 2010 China News Weekly report, 30 million people under 17 suffered from mental disorders in China.

The World Health Organization estimates that before 2020, the rate of children with mental problems will increase by 50 percent, and mental problems will become a major factor behind deaths and illness in the young worldwide.