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If you are suspecting that your child may have depression, you can start out with discussing your concerns with your child’s primary care provider. They may initiate a formal evaluation process themselves or refer your child to another provider who is trained in evaluation and diagnosis of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Based on an interview of the child, the caretakers, and review of validated depression questionnaires such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale(C-SSRS), the clinician can determine if your child meets diagnostic criteria for depression and other concurrent conditions as well as assess risk for self-harm.