What are the signs of depression in foster children?

Children in foster care may have experienced hardship and trauma in their past, before they enter the foster care system.

There are many reasons for a child to have been taken into foster care, including neglect or abuse, which can impact your foster child’s mental health whether they are in short-term care or long-term care.

In this guide, we’ll help you to identify the signs of depression in foster children and how best to help them.

What are the signs of depression to look out for?

Though symptoms of depressions present differently from child to child, there are some signs you can look out for, including:

• Anger or lashing out
• Short temper or irritability
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Low mood or the feeling of sadness
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too often
• Lack of interest or enjoyment
• Trouble concentrating
• Becoming indecisive
• Lack or loss of confidence
• Change in appetite

In more extreme cases, depression can become more serious and display signs such as:

• Feeling numb or empty
• Physical pain such as headaches
• Self-harm
• Thought of suicide
  
  

How to help a foster child with depression

If you suspect your foster child is dealing with depression and present any of these signs, it is important to help support them the best way possible.

As a foster carer, your role is to offer guidance, love and support though this may seem more difficult as your foster child suffers with their mental health. However, there are many things you can do to help, such as:

Communication – keeping an open mind and encouraging open communication can help your foster child to feel safe enough to tell you how they feel and the thoughts they may have. Remember to avoid judgement to allow for complete honesty, as well as respecting boundaries. As much as you may want to communicate, your foster child may not find it as easy to do so, so be sure to not force communication and remind the child in your care that you are available whenever they are ready and willing.

Be present and connected – isolation and avoidance can make your foster child feel shut out and encourage them to keep to themselves. Remember to remain present and connected to your foster child by spending quality time together, making plans to provide them with something to look forward to and encourage them to partake in their usual hobbies or interests. This will positively benefit their mental health in the long-term.

Inform family – depression can be difficult to navigate for everyone involved, though we encourage you to inform family members who are around your foster child. This will help to alleviate any stress or anxiety they may be feeling and will help to create a healthier home and living environment.

Support for foster children with depression

There is a wealth of external support available for foster children with depression, to help with their mental health including:

• Social worker – if you suspect your foster child may have depression, you should reach out to your social worker as well as theirs. This could indicate why your foster child has depression from their past trauma or experiences, as their social worker will have more information of their history.
  
  
• YoungMinds – this is a charity that offers mental health and well-being support for children suffering with depression, as well as offering useful information to parents or carers completely confidential.
  
  

How Foster Care UK can help

At Foster Care UK, we understand that depression is a challenging and sensitive topic that can be difficult to navigate. That’s why we offer therapeutic fostering, which is designed to support young people and children who have complex issues such as trauma, abuse or depression.

Therapeutic foster care trains foster parents in this area to help deal with foster children who have complex needs most effectively.

For more information on our fostering training and support services, or to start your journey to becoming a foster carer, simply get in touch on 0800 012 4004 or fill out our online contact form where our friendly team are happy to help.