When to Seek Professional Help for Teen Depression, and Who to Call First

Signs of depression that last more than two weeks are a reason to call your teen's pediatrician or a therapist, and you don't need to be sure it's depression before you make that call. You should move faster if your teen has stopped going to school, can barely get through ordinary days, or has pulled away from nearly everyone, and right away if they talk about hurting themselves or seem in danger.

Many parents wait longer than they need to, often because they hope it will pass, worry about overreacting, or feel a quiet guilt that they missed something. That hesitation makes sense, but an early call to the pediatrician costs very little, and the worst outcome is usually a reassuring conversation.

How long should you wait before getting help for teen depression?

Two weeks is the point the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) gives parents: if you notice signs of depression for more than two weeks, talk with your child's doctor, regardless of what your child says (AAP/HealthyChildren.org, 2021). The phrase "regardless of what your child says" matters, since many depressed teens tell their parents they're fine, and a teen's insistence that nothing is wrong isn't a reason to stop paying attention.

The signs worth tracking include steady sadness or irritability, losing interest in things your teen used to enjoy, changes in sleep or appetite, slipping grades, and pulling away from friends and family. Our guide to the signs of depression in teens describes these in more detail. While you're watching, keep a few short notes on what you see and when, since that record helps a doctor far more than a general sense that things have been hard.

When should you get help right away?

You should get help right away when your teen can't function day to day or when their safety is in question. Some situations call for a same-week appointment rather than waiting out the two weeks, such as a teen who has stopped going to school, is barely eating or sleeping, hasn't left their room in days, or has started using alcohol or drugs to cope.

If your teen talks about hurting themselves, says they don't want to be alive, or seems in danger, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or call 911 if your teen is in immediate danger. You don't need to wait for a scheduled appointment in that situation, and our crisis page covers what happens when you call.

Who should you call first?

Your teen's pediatrician is usually a good first call, because they already know your teen's history, can check for physical causes of symptoms like fatigue, and can refer you to mental health specialists who can evaluate your teen. The AAP Committee on Adolescence describes that referral role directly in its guidance for parents (AAP/HealthyChildren.org, 2022), and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) adds that a pediatrician, school counselor, or qualified mental health professional can each help connect a child with someone who can conduct a comprehensive assessment (AACAP, 2018).

Asking a pediatrician about mood is ordinary care rather than an unusual request. In 2022 the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended screening for major depressive disorder in adolescents ages 12 to 18, with a grade B rating (USPSTF, 2022), so many pediatricians already ask teens a few questions about mood at checkups.

If the pediatrician's next opening is weeks away, a school counselor or your insurance company's behavioral health line can also point you toward a therapist who works with teenagers. Before that first appointment, it can help to read our piece on what not to say to a depressed teenager, since how the topic comes up at home often shapes how willing a teen is to go.

What kinds of help exist for teen depression?

Help for teen depression usually starts with therapy, and a doctor can discuss whether medication fits as part of the plan. AACAP describes several effective treatments for depression in young people, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), and notes that treatment may also include antidepressant medication, with the risks and benefits carefully discussed (AACAP, 2018). Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured talk therapy that helps a teen notice and change patterns of thinking and behavior, and interpersonal psychotherapy focuses on relationships and the conflicts or losses that can feed low mood.

The AAP notes that although treatment of depression works, it may take a few weeks (AAP/HealthyChildren.org, 2021), so a teen who doesn't seem different after the first two or three sessions isn't necessarily in the wrong treatment.

Many depressed teens never reach treatment at all. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that in 2021 an estimated 20.1% of U.S. adolescents ages 12 to 17 had at least one major depressive episode, and only 40.6% of those teens received treatment in the past year, based on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NIMH, 2023).

How do levels of care fit together?

Levels of care describe how many hours of treatment a teen receives each week and where it happens, and most teens start at the least intensive level that keeps them safe and moving forward. A teen can step up to more support if weekly therapy isn't enough, and step back down as things improve. The table below gives a general picture of each level.

Hours, schedules, and lengths of stay vary from program to program, so treat this as a starting map rather than a rulebook. Our page on levels of care explained goes into each option, our guide on what level of care your teen might need helps you think through the right fit, and our piece on insurance for teen treatment covers what to ask your plan.

How do you bring up getting help with your teen?

Bring it up calmly, describe what you've noticed, and frame the appointment as a way to help them feel better rather than a sign that something is wrong with them. A sentence like "You've seemed worn down for a few weeks, and I'd like us to talk to your doctor about it" tends to go over better than an announcement that they need therapy.

Some teens will resist, and that is common. It can help to give your teen a say in small choices, like whether they'd prefer a man or a woman therapist or an in-person or video session, while being clear that the first appointment is happening. Our guide on how to talk to a withdrawn teen has more on keeping that conversation going, and if the weeks of worry are wearing you down, our page on when to get your own therapist is there for you too. More on the whole topic sits on our depression hub.

What should you do next?

This guide can help you sort out a next step, but we're not clinicians, and only a licensed professional who meets your teen can evaluate what's going on.

The right next step depends on what you're seeing at home:

• Low mood for less than two weeks, with your teen still going to school and seeing friends: keep talking, keep short notes, and stay alert to changes.
• Signs of depression for more than two weeks, or changes in sleep, eating, grades, or friendships: call your teen's pediatrician or a therapist who works with teenagers.
• Your teen can't get through ordinary days, has stopped going to school, or weekly therapy hasn't been enough: ask your teen's doctor or therapist about a more intensive level of care.
• Your teen talks about hurting themselves, says they don't want to be alive, or seems in danger: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or call 911 if your teen is in immediate danger, and see our crisis page.

This article shares practical guidance for parents and is not medical advice. We're not clinicians or doctors. If your teen is struggling, contact a licensed mental health professional or your teen's doctor, and if you have a serious concern about their safety, call 911 or call or text 988. Editorial standards