Just being diagnosed with depression does NOT make it irresponsible to have children. Many wonderful parents also struggle with mental health issues. HOWEVER, if you are currently at a point with your depression where you are unable to care for yourself, a partner, a pet, a plant, and/or (most importantly) a child... you may want to spend a lot of time thinking about whether you are ready to have a child NOW. It might be best for you, and your child, if you wait until you have found a way to manage your depression - with therapy and/or time and/or medication. So, just having depression is in NO way going to make you a bad parent. However, if your depression is untreated and severe, then you may end up incapable of finding the energy and ability to care for yourself, and by extension, for your child. There are, of course, many resources and ways to learn how to manage your depression and lean on other people for support if you DO have a kid and your depression gets worse - Nothing is a blanket statement! My mother has struggled with Bipolar disorder my whole life (part of the time undiagnosed) and she's been an amazing parent for me - but there have been times where her mental illness has made her unavailable. I have had great support from her partner and she's been in therapy and on medication, which has helped tremendously.