Depression Self-Rating Scale For Children

Could your child be suffering from depression? Help your little one take this test to find out.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | February 04, 2025

While not commonly discussed, childhood depression is a serious issue that goes far beyond just your child feeling sad. Depression can affect your child's emotions and overall well-being, gradually changing their behavior and demeanor until they feel like a stranger to you. Childhood depression can have lasting effects on some of the most important parts of a child's development, as it can shape their emotions well into adulthood.

Children experiencing depression can become withdrawn, irritable or suffer from low self-esteem. Over time, your child could have difficulties forming strong social connections, an increased risk of anxiety, or other mental health challenges in adolescence and adulthood. Without proper support, they may develop maladaptive coping mechanisms, which can make it harder to navigate relationships later in life.

The Depression Self-Rating Scale for Children—suited for children between 8- and 14-years old—allows parents to gain structured insight into their child's well-being. By taking your child through the scale and tracking their results, you could start an important conversation that allows them a safe space to express their true feelings. This scale helps recognize distress early and strengthens the parent-child bond, reinforcing the message that their feelings are valid, and that support is available.

You can take the test with your child here. Follow all of the steps to receive your results.

Step 1: Ask your child to read these statements and select an answer that best describes how they have felt in the past week. Ask them to answer as honestly as they can, and remind them that the correct answer is to say how they really have felt.

1. I don't look forward to things as much as I used to.

2. I don't sleep very well.

3. I feel like crying.

4. I don't like going out to play.

5. I feel like running away.

6. I get stomach-aches/cramps.

7. I don't have lots of energy.

8. I don't enjoy my food.

9. I can't stick up for myself.

10. I think life isn't worth living.

11. I don't think I am good at things I do.

12. I don't enjoy the things I do as much as I used to.

13. I don't like talking to my friends and family.

14. I have horrible dreams.

15. I feel very lonely.

16. I'm not easily cheered up.

17. I feel so sad I can hardly bear it.

18. I feel very bored.

Step 2: Enter your age, gender, region, and first name so we can provide you with a detailed report that compares your test scores to people similar to you.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Check to make sure you've provided answers to all of the statements/questions above. Once you've done that, click the button below to send your responses to Awake Therapy's Lead Psychologist, Mark Travers, Ph.D. He will provide you with an overview of how you scored relative to others (all answers are anonymized and confidential to protect users' privacy). He can also answer any follow-up questions you may have.

References: Birleson, P., Hudson, I., Buchanan, D. G., & Wolff, S. (1987). Clinical evaluation of a self-rating scale for depressive disorder in childhood (Depression Self-Rating Scale). Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines, 28(1), 43–60. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.1987.tb00651.x