Provided by David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D.
Surgeon General of the United States of America
Chapter 3: Children and Mental Health
Overview of Mental Disorders in Children
Depression and Suicide in Children and Adolescents
Causes
The precise causes of depression are not known. Extensive research on adults
with depression generally points to both biological and psychosocial factors (Kendler,
1995). However, there has been substantially less research on the causes of
depression in children and adolescents. Further discussion of the risk factors
for depression can be found in Chapter 4, as well as the preceding Overview of
Risk Factors and Prevention section.
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