Mental Health of Children

Most children throughout their early development experience positive mental health if they are living within an environment that is responsive to their needs and stimulates their development. Positive mental health allows children to cope effectively with challenges they encounter, express and regulate their emotions, develop and maintain positive and secure relationships and feel confident in exploring their environments at a developmentally appropriate level.

Mental health of children, much like that of adults, is not fixed. It occurs along a continuum and can range from positive mental health, to vulnerabilities or difficulties, and diagnosable mental health concerns. A child’s “position” on the continuum is influenced by a range of factors:

• Their inner world

• Their relationships and social world

• Their family circumstances

Positive mental health

Most children will experience positive mental health. They are able to effectively meet challenges, express and regulate their emotions, confidently explore their environment, and form secure relationships within a developmentally and age-appropriate context. It is important to remember there is not “one size fits all” description of what positive mental health looks like for a child. A child must be considered within the context of their circumstances.

Vulnerabilities or difficulties

Vulnerabilities or difficulties in young children may present as frequent difficulties with their emotions, thoughts, behaviours, learning, or relationships. Children experiencing mental health vulnerability or difficulties may have:

• Trouble calming down after a strong emotion or may struggle to regulate their emotions and behaviour.

• Challenges separating from their parent

• Sleep, eating, or engagement (e.g., at school or within the community) concerns 

Diagnosed mental health condition

Mental health conditions are influenced by a combination of factors, including internal and external stressors (including poor coping strategies), a child’s temperament, and changes in relationships (friendships, family, school, etc.). A mental health condition may present as significant changes in a child’s typical behaviours and can be distinguished from a vulnerability by the intensity, duration, and the extent of impact on the child.

Written by Emma Trott (Registered Psychologist)