Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health is the foundation of life
In today’s news, references to ‘mental health’ most often focus on the mental health of children and adults – with the mental health of infants and young children often overlooked or misunderstood. However, since important attachments are formed in the early years of life, focusing on infant and early childhood mental health provides an important opportunity to establish and strengthen the foundations of their emotional and social growth and development. To meet these needs, there are a number of practitioners, providers, and other professionals who dedicate their careers to promoting the mental health of infants, toddlers, caregivers, and their families.
Infants and toddlers can experience mental health conditions, just like any age group. That’s why it’s so important to address their mental health needs as soon as one suspects there may be a problem, rather than waiting until they’re older. Fostering healthy brain development, starting at birth, can help mitigate serious mental health problems that can emerge in adulthood. According to the Harvard Center on Child Development, “Early experiences influence the development of brain architecture, which provides the basis for all future learning, behavior and health. “Just as a weak foundation compromises the quality and strength of a house, adverse experiences early in life can damage the architecture of the brain, with negative effects that last into adulthood.”
Why early childhood mental health matters
Experiences in the early years of life can influence the trajectory of a child’s life, setting the course for future health and well-being. Brain structures that influence later learning are mostly formed by the age of two, which means some of the most important brain development happens before the child ever picks up a pencil, reads a book or goes to school. Parents and caregivers play an important, protective role by providing positive learning experiences, shielding young children from the stress of hardship or threat, and fostering the early development of adaptive skills that are the building blocks of resilience.
Understanding why early childhood mental health matters is especially important because there is a serious youth mental health crisis happening in our country today – and it’s not just affecting older or school-aged children. it starts earlier and in younger children. According the CDCone in six children aged 2-8 have a diagnosable mental health condition. Another great study suggests that at least one in 10 children under five have a significant emotional, behavioral or relationship problem.
It may come as a surprise to parents and carers that even at very young ages, significant mental health problems can emerge – often at rates similar to older children. It is important to respond effectively to the mental health needs of younger children by talking to them about their feelings and responding to their emotional needs. Very young children may not have the words to express their feelings, but instead show it with behaviors such as crying or shouting. While most parents may attribute these types of behaviors to other factors, not all of these behaviors are just a “phase.” Persistent feelings or behaviors that interfere with a young child’s ability to connect with others, express their feelings appropriately, and have an overall ability to enjoy life are important signs to watch for. These types of concerns may be important to discuss with a healthcare provider to immediately address and/or mitigate any further challenges down the road.
How SAMHSA Programs Support This Critical Age Group
SAMHSA funds three grant programs that serve children birth to 12 years of age who are at risk of experiencing severe emotional disturbances.
- The Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Grant program works to improve outcomes for children, from birth to age 12, by developing, maintaining or enhancing infant and early childhood mental health promotion, intervention and treatment services.
- Project Linking Actions for Unaddressed Needs in Children’s Health, also known as Project LAUNCH, promotes the well-being of young children, from birth to age eight, by addressing the social, emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioral aspects of their development – – preparing young children to thrive in school and beyond.
- The National Center of Excellence (CoE) for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) provides technical assistance and professional development to increase access to high-quality mental health counseling (MHC) across the country. The CoE for IECMHC works with and responds to individuals, organizations and agencies across the country seeking support with the MHC. These supports can range from general questions to organizations looking for help developing or establishing an MHC program, to locating a mental health counselor in their area, and offering general and technical support for MHC. Through a variety of interactive services and programs, the CoE for IECMHC also supports the infant and early childhood mental health workforce and builds capacity through trainings, webinars, tools and other resources.
SAMHSA’s IECMHC helps young children and their families
As mentioned above, IECMHC is a prevention-based approach that pairs a mental health counselor with adults who work with infants and young children in the various settings where children learn and grow. These can be settings such as home day care, early childcare locations, preschools, home visits, early intervention and in their own homes. MHC equips caregivers to facilitate children’s healthy social and emotional development.
Mental Health Counselors:
- supporting strong relationships and supportive environments for children;
- focus on building the capacity of adults in children’s lives to understand young children’s social-emotional development.
- are highly qualified licensed, or eligible for licensure, professionals with specialized knowledge in child development, the effects of stress and trauma on families, the importance of attachment for young children, and the effects of adult mental health on developing children; and
- use a strengths-based approach and consider all levels of influence to support young children and their carers.
IECMHC works best when teachers, families and others in the child’s environment work together to support the child. IECMHC has shown to “improve children’s social skills and emotional functioning, promote healthy relationships, reduce challenging behaviors, reduce the number of suspensions and expulsions, improve classroom management skills, and reduce provider stress, burnout and the rotation”. Anyone interested in finding a mental health counselor in their area can visit the CoE for IECMH website and complete the Technical support form.
Infant and early childhood mental health is the foundation of life. Starting with a strong and healthy foundation helps children cultivate the developmental and resilience skills they will need to become well-functioning members of society. It is the duty of all of us to support and care for our nation’s youngest and most vulnerable population.
Additional resources
For more information about SAMHSA’s grant programs that promote and support the health and wellness of young children and their families, visit: Early Childhood Mental Health Programs.
Early childhood resources for parents, caregivers, educators, mental health counselors, and others can be found at SAMHSA Publications Website and to CoE for the IECMH website.
