In recent years, we’ve placed greater attention on the importance of childhood mental health. According to research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 10 to 16 percent of young children experience mental health conditions, including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and more. Unsurprisingly, their mental health directly impacts their social, emotional, and even physical development for years to come.
For today’s blog post, let’s take a closer look at childhood mental health and the importance of early intervention and treatment.
A 2020 study revealed that nearly half of all mental disorders start by 14 years old and eventually evolve into 45 percent of the mental health diseases impacting individuals under 25 years old.1 Young children process and respond to emotion and trauma in a unique way — one that is very different from the reaction of older adolescents and adults — making their diagnosis and subsequent treatment more nuanced.
It’s critical to understand that a child’s mental health is not solely determined by their genes. While their genes tell their bodies how to work, their environment either allows or prevents those directions from being followed. For instance, an unsafe, stress-inducing childhood home can lead to mental instability that lasts into their adult lives.
For some individuals, the impact of a childhood marked by toxic stress doesn’t present until years later. This trauma may include long-term poverty, abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and/or parental substance abuse or mental health problems. Toxic stress has been shown to affect brain development, which may impair school readiness and performance as well as physical growth and mental health. It’s no wonder these children are particularly vulnerable to their own mental health struggles!
While it’s never too late for the treatment of childhood mental health issues, early intervention leads to better outcomes.
Research suggests that multidisciplinary teams are more impactful than individual therapeutic approaches.2 This idea supports the mission of the Center for Rising Minds, which provides comprehensive mental health care for all family members under one roof. By offering services for psychotherapy, psychological testing, speech therapy, and occupational therapy (OT), we provide our patients with a customized approach to meet their individual needs.
Studies also show that family involvement is essential for long-term healing and recovery.2 Specifically, the stability of a child’s mental health increases when their parents also improve their skills. Again, the Center for Rising Minds considers this idea in our approach to childhood mental health care, offering our help to adults as well.
It is also crucial that a young person’s mental health treatment occurs within the context of their environments. Even if they are removed from a toxic family situation, they may still face challenges with self-regulation, emotional control, self-worth, and more. Their wellbeing is tied to their caregivers. If these relationships are unsafe or uncertain, it greatly impacts their mental health and response to help.
If you have any questions about childhood mental health and early intervention, don’t hesitate to contact the team at Center for Rising Minds!
At the Center for Rising Minds, we’d love to help you and your family with your mental health care needs! Please reach out to us today to inquire about our services or join our waitlist.
References
- Colizzi M, Lasalvia A, Ruggeri M. Prevention and early intervention in youth mental health: is it time for a multidisciplinary and trans-diagnostic model for care? Int J Ment Health Syst. 2020 Mar 24;14:23. doi: 10.1186/s13033-020-00356-9. PMID: 32226481; PMCID: PMC7092613.
- Parry TS. The effectiveness of early intervention: a critical review. J Paediatr Child Health. 1992 Oct;28(5):343-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.1992.tb02688.x. PMID: 1382490.
