Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Services

Infant and early childhood mental health (I/ECMH) refers to how infants and young children learn to form strong relationships, express and manage their emotions, and explore the world around them.  A parent or caregiver’s emotional well-being plays a critical role in shaping a young child’s development. Identifying and supporting challenges early helps strengthen families and nurture each child’s ability to grow, learn, and thrive.

Mental Health Concerns

Many children in the United States experience mental health challenges, such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress. Some children and families can even face early risks to well-being (e.g., witnessing violence, experiencing a natural disaster or accident, food insecurity) and mental health or developmental concerns can begin even in the first months of life.

Mental health challenges may be experienced by families or children impacted by these or similar experiences:

• substance use 
• caregiver depression or anxiety
• home or community violence
• family or lifestyle changes such as separation, divorce, or death of a loved one
• racial or systematic oppression

Signs of possible mental health concerns in young children include:

• challenges or changes in eating, sleeping, or bathroom habits
• persistent crying or difficulty soothing
• biting, tantrums, aggression, or overly active behavior
• quiet behaviors like avoiding others or seeming overly scared
• reverting back to doing younger behaviors
• issues with attachment or separation

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

Infant and early childhood mental health services are a relationship-based, therapeutic approach that focuses on the whole child and family. It supports factors that are essential to healthy development, including:

• prenatal and early health care
• positive family relationships
• responsive caregiving
• cultural values
• safe and nurturing environments
• the child’s overall physical, emotional, and cognitive growth

Trained I/ECMH consultants support the emotional well-being of infants and their parents or caregivers by closely observing how they form secure relationships and identifying concerns such as mental health needs, developmental delays, or relationship challenges that may affect a child’s growth. I/ECMH consultants: 

• strengthen the bond between young children and their caregivers
• provide guidance that helps caregivers anticipate developmental needs
• build caregivers’ confidence and skills to support their child’s social and emotional development
• develop action plans for caregivers to support children with perceived challenging behaviors
• equip families and educators to handle difficult situations 

Accessing I/ECMH Services

Parents concerned about their child’s mental health can ask a primary care doctor to screen for mental health concerns during check-ups. Doctors can connect families with local resources such as home visiting programs or early care and education programs.

• For children ages 0-3, parents can contact their local Early Intervention (EI) Child and Family Connections office to get a free developmental screening. Find more resources in the Early Intervention resource list. 
• For children ages 3-5, parents should ask their local school district about an evaluation to possibly receive special education services, as described in the tool kit, Special Education Assessment and Eligibility. 

Early care and education providers serving children birth through age five, such as childcare centers, can contact Caregiver Connections to receive free support to help their program and staff recognize, understand, and respond to the social and emotional needs of the children in their care.

IEL Resources

• Resource list: Early Intervention
• Tool kit: Special Education Assessment and Eligibility