Many factors can trigger depression in children and teenagers.
Dr Lai: Every time they get a compliment, it’s like a deposit for their self-esteemBY the time she was six years old, Amy (not her real name) had already been sexually abused by her father for four years.
Amy never told anyone about it because her father had said it was their “little secret”. The secret was blown when Amy’s uncle somehow found out about it, and informed her mother about the abuse.
Sadly, instead of believing her, Amy’s mother turned her anger on the child, insisting that Amy must have been lying.
With her mother furious with her, Amy believed that she must have done something wrong, and that she was responsible for the mess her family was in. She took it upon herself to somehow make things right. She killed herself.