• More common than you think: Depending on the study, around 3% to 10% of young people in the 12–17 age group are affected by depression, and many cases remain undetected.
• Significant nationwide increase: Since 2018, depression among 5- to 24-year-olds has increased by about 30% nationwide in Germany, underscoring the urgent need for prevention and accessible care.
• Early recognition protects: Receiving help early significantly reduces risks such as dropping out of school, substance abuse, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.
• Typical signs: Over weeks, teenagers exhibit a lack of motivation, loss of interest, social withdrawal, irritability, as well as changes in sleep patterns and appetite.
• Not just puberty: While normal mood swings fade, depressive symptoms persist, worsen, and severely impact school performance and relationships.
• Effective treatments: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) are clinically proven to alleviate symptoms.
• Immediate action in a crisis: If your child experiences suicidal thoughts, seek help immediately by calling 112, the medical on-call service at 116 117, or the 24/7 confidential crisis hotline "TelefonSeelsorge."

Data from health insurance providers has shown a significant increase in diagnosed depression among children, teenagers, and young adults for several years. BARMER reports a nationwide increase of nearly 30% from 2018 to 2023 among 5- to 24-year-olds. The growth was particularly pronounced during and after the pandemic years. Girls and young women are significantly more frequently affected than boys and young men.

The "Corona and Psyche" study series conducted by the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE COPSY 2023/24) confirms that crises and restrictions have placed a noticeable burden on the mental health of young people, and that these distress levels are, in some cases, only slowly returning to normal.

International investigations also indicate a rise in depressive symptoms during adolescence (WHO 2021/2023). Although the studies vary in methodology, the trend is clear: mental health requires systematic attention—at home, in school, and within the healthcare system.

Depression is far more than just a "bad mood." It affects feelings, thoughts, the physical body, and behavior—often simultaneously. Left untreated, symptoms can worsen and lead to the development of anxiety disorders, school truancy, substance abuse, or suicidal thoughts. The earlier you as parents, friends, or teachers take action, the better the chances of stabilizing the situation.

• Depressed mood and sadness: Those affected feel down, emotionally empty, or hopeless for weeks at a time.
• Lack of motivation: Daily tasks feel overwhelming, and even favorite activities are rarely started or are quickly abandoned.
• Loss of interest and joy: Things that were previously important no longer bring pleasure and are actively avoided.
• Withdrawal from family and friends: Social gatherings are canceled, messages go unanswered, and the bedroom door stays closed more often.
• Irritability and quick temper: Some teenagers appear less sad and instead seem highly irritable, angry, or aggressive.
• Concentration difficulties and academic decline: Completing homework becomes harder, grades drop, and exams are avoided.
• Low self-esteem and feelings of guilt: Teenagers put themselves down, constantly doubt themselves, and blame themselves for many things.
• Diurnal variations: The mood is often particularly low in the morning and tends to improve toward the evening.
• Physical symptoms: Recurring headaches, stomachaches, dizziness, or nausea occur without a clear physical cause. These are referred to as psychosomatic symptoms.
• Changes in sleep and appetite: This manifests as difficulties falling or staying asleep, waking up early, as well as a significant increase or decrease in appetite.
• Risk-taking behavior: Reckless driving, dangerous dares, or unprotected sex can mask an underlying sense of deep despair.
• Self-harm and suicidal thoughts: Thoughts of self-harm or suicide are always a major red flag and require immediate professional help.

Gender-specific differences manifest less in the type of depression itself and more in the typical ways it is expressed and in patterns of help-seeking behavior.

Girls and young women more frequently report sadness, rumination, social withdrawal, sleep problems, and somatic complaints. Eating disorders also occur more often, and they tend to seek help earlier.

On average, boys and young men more frequently display irritability, aggression, rule-breaking, and risk-taking behavior. They talk less often about their inner distress and seek help later.

Not all young people fit into these boxes: queer youth additionally experience minority stress (e.g., bullying, exclusion), which can increase the risk of depression.

Schools should therefore sensitize teachers and social workers to both "quiet" and "loud" signals, challenge gender stereotypes, and create low-threshold access to support—such as office hours, trusted teachers, and anonymous ways to get in touch.

Pubertal mood swings are a natural part of growing up. At the same time, the justification "it's just puberty" must not mask a clinical depression that requires treatment. A practical comparison helps with the classification—though it does not replace a professional diagnosis.

1. Duration

• Puberty: Mood fluctuates depending on the situation and eventually returns to normal.
• Depression: Symptoms persist for weeks and often worsen over time.

2. Interests

• Puberty: Interests change, but a fundamental capacity for joy remains noticeable.
• Depression: Activities no longer bring pleasure and are permanently avoided.

3. Motivation

• Puberty: Moods dictate motivation levels, but energy always returns.
• Depression: A lack of motivation dominates most days and slows down daily life.

4. Performance

• Puberty: Short-term drops in performance can be balanced out.
• Depression: A sustained decline in academic performance and concentration difficulties severely impact school.

5. Sleep/Appetite

• Puberty: Irregularities are annoying but do not cause severe psychological distress.
• Depression: Significant changes cause deep distress and impair daily routine.

6. Risk-taking behavior

• Puberty: Boundaries are tested and subsequently scaled back.
• Depression: Self-harming and excessive behaviors signal a high level of risk.

7. Thoughts

• Puberty: Conflicts, self-doubt, and the process of detachment stand at the forefront.
• Depression: Feelings of worthlessness, profound guilt, and suicidal thoughts occur.

If symptoms persist for weeks, worsen, or place a severe burden on school, friendships, and family life, a professional clinical evaluation is required—regardless of age and gender.

Parents and caregivers are key figures. A calm, clear approach reduces potential resistance, builds trust, and opens doors to obtaining help.

How you can start:

• Express observation and care: „I’ve noticed that you’ve been withdrawing over the past few weeks. I’m worried about you, and I want to understand what’s going on.“
• Validate their pressure: „It sounds really exhausting with how much pressure there is at school right now. That would get to anyone.“
• Offer collaborative support: „We can look together to see who can help you. I’ll accompany you to an appointment if you’d like.“

What to avoid:

• Do not downplay: „It’s just a phase.“ – Minimizing their experience invalidates what they are going through.
• Do not pressure: „Just pull yourself together.“ – Adding pressure only intensifies shame and social withdrawal.
• Do not assign blame: „Everything is going wrong around here because of you.“ – Blaming the child blocks any path to getting help.

• Psychotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents (IPT-A) are particularly well-researched; both approaches strengthen behavioral activation, problem-solving skills, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships.
• Medication can be appropriate for moderate to severe cases—always in combination with psychotherapy and close medical monitoring. For adolescents, fluoxetine has the strongest evidence base.
• Involving the family and school helps stabilize daily routine through psychoeducation, clear agreements, adapted academic expectations, and gradual return-to-school plans.

• "Nummer gegen Kummer" (Crisis Helpline for Children and Youth): Anonymous, free of charge, and available nationwide; also includes a dedicated parents' helpline at 0800 111 0 550 – https://www.nummergegenkummer.de/
• "krisenchat" (Crisis Chat): No registration required, available 24/7, with referrals to local support services – https://www.krisenchat.de/
• "JugendNotmail" (Youth Emergency Mail): Email counseling and occasional live chat support provided by trained professionals, with responses typically within 24 to 48 hours – https://jugendnotmail.de/
• Online Suicide Prevention by Caritas ([U25]): Peer-to-peer email counseling under professional supervision for young people up to 25 years old – [U25] https://www.u25-deutschland.de/
• "bke-Jugendberatung" (Federal Conference for Guidance Counseling): Anonymous individual and group chats, discussion forums, and email counseling – https://www.bke-beratung.de/
• "Juuuport" (Peer Counseling Network): Peers provide anonymous advice via chat or email regarding cyberbullying, stress, social media, and emotional distress – https://www.juuuport.de/

An inpatient or day-clinic stay at a psychiatric hospital for teenagers with depression is appropriate when outpatient treatment is no longer sufficient, an acute risk of self-harm or harm to others exists, severe comorbid conditions (e.g., eating disorders, substance use disorders) are present, or when the school and family situation is completely gridlocked. Inpatient programs combine psychotherapy, medical monitoring, structured daily routines, hospital-schooling, and family counseling. Discuss this with your child's treating physician or therapist; they will arrange the referral and assist in selecting suitable facilities.

Eine Klinik für Jugendliche mit Depressionen (voll- oder teilstationär) ist sinnvoll, wenn ambulante Behandlung nicht ausreicht, eine akute Selbst- oder Fremdgefährdung besteht, schwere Begleiterkrankungen (z. B. Essstörungen, Suchterkrankungen) vorliegen oder die Schule und die familiäre Situation komplett blockiert sind. Stationäre Programme kombinieren Psychotherapie, medizinische Überwachung, Alltags- und Schulstruktur sowie Familienarbeit. Sprich darüber mit der behandelnden Praxis, sie organisiert die Einweisung und hilft bei der Auswahl geeigneter Häuser.

Schule: Absprachen zu Arbeitslast, Nachteilsausgleich und Pausen reduzieren Druck. Ein Stufenplan für Anwesenheit (z. B. zunächst einzelne Stunden, dann halbe, später ganze Tage) verhindert Überforderung. Vertrauenslehrkräfte, Schulsozialarbeit und Lernpatenschaften helfen, dranzubleiben.

Freizeit: Regelmäßige Bewegung, Tageslicht und kleine soziale Kontakte wirken antidepressiv – nicht als „Wundermittel“, sondern als Bausteine, die die Therapie unterstützen. Ziel ist nicht, sofort „alles wieder zu schaffen“, sondern schrittweise Aktivität aufzubauen. (DGKJP-Leitlinie 028-043, awmf.org)

Social Media: Digitale Räume können verbinden, aber auch Stress und Vergleichsdruck verstärken. Klare Zeiten, ein „Handy-Parkplatz“ für die Nacht und notfalls App-Limits entlasten. Hilfreich ist, Accounts zu entfolgen, die Stimmung drücken.