THE EDUCATIONAL IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION AND THE NEED OF EARLY IDENTIFICATION

Background: Ten to twenty percent of kids and teens have mental health issues. Attention deficits,cognitive problems, low motivation, and depression hinder academic progress. It's sometimesunclear how psychologists affect kids' mental development and what school therapies and preventionefforts work.Methods: The foundation of this brief statement is the systematic reviews, meta-analyses, andrandomized and non-randomized controlled trials found through a selective search in the PubMedand Google Scholar databases—ScienceDirect, Elsevier, ResearchGate, and others.Results: Impulsive conduct, a lack of focus, and hyperactivity in the motor areas are the hallmarksof this disorder. Depression affects 4-5% of children and adolescents, with a double prevalencethat of males compared to girls. Learning impairments, including dyslexia and dyscalculia, impact4-6% of children. Repeated grades, chronic absenteeism, and dropping out of school are allassociated with mental health issues. Incorporating evidence- based school programs and makingadjustments to the school environment can reduce the likelihood of students developinginternalizing or externalizing mental health problems.Conclusion: Doctors, school social workers, and psychologists must help educators identify andaddress mental health issues in their students to quickly identify school stressors and implementnecessary interventions. School-entrance tests and risk factor testing can help. Schools mustimplement evidence-based preventative activities and enhance the school climate.