Fourth Edition, September 2011

Educational implications:
Children and youth who are experiencing a mood disorder may have diffi
culty focusing in the class-
room, and in completing assignments. They may be easily frustrated by tasks that they have previously 
completed without diffi
culty. This can aff ect their school performance, and lead to further diffi
culties 
with mood.
In the classroom they may appear sad or withdrawn. They may avoid other students at break, and in the 
playground, may complain of feeling tired, or of not having any energy.

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D 3
Mood Problems
Making a Diff erence: An Educators’ Guide to Child and Youth Mental Health Problems
www.cymhin.ca
Students who are experiencing mood problems also may not enjoy activities they enjoyed in the past. 
They say things like, “What’s the use?” or “It just doesn’t matter anyway.”
While all students may express some of these thoughts, when this is a change from their usual mood, 
and when it lasts for several weeks, it may be time to share your observations and concerns with others.
Depression: Suggestions for Supporting Your 
Student in School 

Being successful and accomplishing tasks increases self-esteem, so fi nd ways to ensure 
the student has chances to achieve, even with his/her lower energy level and reduced 
ability to concentrate. 

Eliminate less important work until the student is in recovery. 

Make positive statements that refl ect his/her own past successes.

Make a special contact with the student each day – maybe a specifi c greeting at the 
door followed by a question about something that has been of interest to the student. 

Give more time, break assignments into smaller pieces, off er extra help in setting up 
schedules or study habits, or pair the student with others who express an interest in 
helping. 

Depression impairs students’ ability to learn and concentrate; they may work more 
slowly than other students. Shorten assignments or allow more time for them to be 
completed. 

Children and adolescents who are depressed are more sensitive to criticism. Correc-
tions should be accompanied by plenty of praise and support. 

Depressed students often feel as if they have little to contribute. It is helpful to show 
confi dence, respect, and faith in the student’s abilities. 

Ask open-ended questions in class. With no clearly correct answers, these kinds of ques-
tions minimize any chances for embarrassment.

Check your Board’s procedures for dealing with students who are expressing suicidal 
thoughts. Seek direction from your principal if you have questions about what to do.

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Making a Diff erence: An Educators’ Guide to Child and Youth Mental Health Problems
www.cymhin.ca
D 4
Mood Problems