For most children and adolescents, having symptoms of depression is temporary. However, “dysthymia” often begins in childhood, as do the recurrent bouts of depression that adults with a depressive disorder experience. The occurrence of depressive symptoms early in life may signal a lifelong struggle that has major impacts on school success, future livelihood, and relationships. 

Over the lifespan, depression has major repercussions.  About 20% of children with depression will go on to have depressive episodes as adults.  The children of depressed mothers have higher rates of behaviour disorders and of depression themselves. Adults with depression may go on to suffer from higher rates of chronic diseases such as heart disease, which reduce life quality or lead to early death. 

Society at large experiences the loss of productivity of people with depression. So, identification and treatment of people with depression is crucial.