Child Development
The science of child development shows that the foundation for sound mental health is built early in life, as early experiences—which include children’s relationships with parents, caregivers, relatives, teachers, and peers—shape the architecture of the developing brain. Disruptions in this developmental process can impair a child’s capacities for learning and relating to others, with lifelong implications.
Early Intervention
Most potential mental health problems will not become mental health problems if we respond to them early. Early intervention is the process of anticipating, identifying and responding to concerns about a child’s development to minimize potential adverse effects and maximize healthy development.
Without early diagnosis and treatment, children with mental disorders can have problems at home, in school, and in forming friendships. This can also interfere with their healthy development, and these problems can continue into adulthood.
Children and teens experiencing emotional distress and behavioral issues require specialized care. Since they’re going through a constant state of development during this time, both mentally and physically, children need the kind of treatment that recognizes the complexity of their current state. Our programs focus on identifying immediate issues like depression, anxiety, disruptive behaviors and other disorders. We provide education for both patients and caregivers so they can learn ways to cope. The goal for all of our programs is to get kids back on track so they can begin to refocus on healthy relationships at school, at home and in their communities.
Prevention
As early experiences shape the architecture of the developing brain, they also lay the foundations of sound mental health. Disruptions to this developmental process can impair a child’s capacities for learning and relating to others — with lifelong implications. By improving children’s environments of relationships and experiences early in life, society can address many costly problems, including incarceration, homelessness, and the failure to complete high school.