Celebrating Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week

May 1 marks the start of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, a yearly campaign that raises awareness about the importance of children’s mental health. Celebrated at the start of National Mental Health Awareness Month, this week provides an opportunity for parents, caregivers and the larger community to come together and discuss the ways we can promote better mental health for our children.

In celebration of this important week, Milwaukee Succeeds brought together experts from across industries to discuss the connection between high-quality early childhood education (ECE) and children’s mental well-being and development.

“Early childhood is the most critical period in children's development,” says Leah Jepson, project director for the Milwaukee Coalition for Children's Mental Health and executive co-director for the Mental Health America of Wisconsin Next Step Clinic. “This is the time when children learn and grow quickly, building the foundation for their health and well-being.”

In fact, about 90% of a child’s brain development happens before the age of 5. That means that children’s experiences during this critical time will have ripple effects throughout their entire lives.

“I’ve seen how addressing children’s mental health needs can improve the quality of their life and their growth trajectory and development, as well as their relationships with other people in their lives,” says Dr. Amy Leventhal, clinical services director at the Next Step Clinic.

High-quality ECE programs play a critical role in this development, serving as safe, supportive environments in which children can grow. According to Jepson, this type of positive environment helps children navigate their own emotions, learn empathy for others, develop social emotional skills and build trusting relationships - both with their peers and teachers.

Dr. John Meurer, a pediatrician and community health professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, expands on this, saying, “Being mentally healthy during childhood means…learning how to cope when there are problems. Even our youngest children can develop mental health disorders.”

When it comes to ECE, providers recognize the importance of navigating trauma and stress in order help children deal with difficult emotions. (Learn more about the mental health trainings the Milwaukee ECE Coalition has facilitated, which have helped hundreds of local providers learn more about trauma, stress and regulation.)

“Each child needs care, routine, consistency and a safe place where all their needs are met, physical and emotional,” says Yimma Davila Castro, owner and ECE teacher at Yimma’s Bright Beginnings Daycare. “When a child’s life is crumbling and the child has at least one safe place, one safe person, it will switch their fight or flight response into hope and love.”