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Quality time may reduce depression in children

By Staff Writer

More than 1 million preschoolers have been diagnosed as clinically depressed, according to a 2004 study published in Psychiatric Services. When left untreated, individuals suffering from depression may eventually turn to illicit substances to cope with the condition. Drug rehab centers can help people who are dependent on substances, but parental guidance may be able to prevent future addiction in children.

Experts say that parents who take time off to spend with their kids may have a long-lasting positive influence on their lives. In order to encourage more individuals to create family time, community advocates in Walnut Creek, California, have created the Parent Project. Group meetings are held regularly at the John Muir Medical Centers for parents seeking new ways to reconnect with their children, according to Danville Express News.

Leaders of the Parent Project stress that four key components typically lead kids down the wrong path: negative peer influence, lack of supervision, lack of discipline and lack of affection. Gabriel Welcher, who runs the program, recommends keeping the lines of communication open to enhance a relationship.

Approximately 15 percent of individuals who suffer from depression will commit suicide if they do not receive treatment, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Parental guidance may be able to prevent depressive disorders in the future.

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