If we truly want to improve youth mental health outcomes, we must start earlier, which also happens to be during the critical developmental years from birth to age eight.

Research consistently shows that early childhood experiences shape long-term mental health and well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in five children in the United States experiences a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder each year. Additionally, nearly half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin before the age of fourteen.

These statistics highlight the importance of early identification and support for young children who may be struggling emotionally or behaviorally, as most signs or things that should be seen as concerns are often overlooked or assumed to be something normal for the child’s age range.

Brain development research also emphasizes how important early childhood is for emotional health. Approximately 80 percent of a child’s brain develops by age three and about 90 percent by age five. During this time, children are learning how to regulate emotions, build relationships, and respond to stress.

When young children experience trauma, chronic stress, or emotional difficulties without adequate support, these experiences can affect how their brains develop and how they cope, not just later in life but also in the present. This leads children to create unhealthy coping habits and suffering in silence.

Unfortunately, many families struggle to access mental health support for young children. Parents often encounter long waitlists, limited providers who specialize in early childhood mental health, high treatment costs, and possible insurance issues.

Many parents also report feeling overwhelmed trying to navigate the complicated systems of care or really knowing where to start at all to get the correct help for their child. In some cases, early warning signs such as persistent anxiety, aggression, withdrawal, or difficulty regulating emotions are dismissed as “just a phase.” Without early support, these challenges can escalate and begin to affect a child’s school performance, relationships, social skills, self confidence, mental health and family stability.

Schools can play a crucial role in improving access to early mental health support. Because children spend a good portion of their day in school environments, schools are often the first place where emotional or behavioral concerns become visible. School-based mental health professionals can help identify challenges early, provide support to children, and connect families with additional services when needed.

Creating more school-based mental health services for children across all ages but especially in elementary schools would help reduce the stigma and help create a safe space for children to learn that seeking help is normal, just like going to the school nurse when they don’t feel good or they get hurt.

There are some schools that already have some sort of mental health service or maybe a counselor in elementary school, but many schools simply do not have enough mental health staff to meet student needs. The American School Counselor Association recommends a student-to-school-counselor ratio of 250 students for every counselor. In reality, the national average is approximately 408 students per counselor. This gap means that many children who need support may not receive it until problems become severe.

Several federal and state policies recognize the importance of expanding school-based mental health services. The Mental Health Services for Students Act (H.R. 5557) aims to expand access to comprehensive school mental health programs across the country. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act also provides federal funding for school-based mental health services and community mental health programs. In Utah, legislation such as H.B. 491 focuses on expanding behavioral health initiatives and improving youth crisis response services.

While these policies are important steps forward, more attention must be given to early childhood mental health services, and most particularly for children from birth to age eight. Early intervention programs, family peer-support services, and increased mental health staffing in elementary schools can help families receive support before problems escalate into a crisis.

This issue is personal for me because I have seen firsthand how mental health struggles can affect children and families. My own mental health struggles growing up definitely overwhelmed my family and especially my mom, who — as a single parent — was simply trying to do her best.

When support is unavailable or delayed, problems escalate into crises that could have been prevented with earlier intervention. I value family stability, child safety, and emotional resilience. I believe children deserve proactive care, not just emergency treatment when things reach a breaking point, like it was for me.

Many parents want to support their child but feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn for guidance. When families cannot access early help, small concerns can grow into larger challenges that affect a child’s development, school success, and family stability.

I have seen how mental health struggles can place a heavy strain on families who are simply trying to do their best for their children. Families should not have to navigate these challenges alone or wait until their child is in crisis before help becomes available. Early support has the power to change the trajectory of a child’s life.

Community members, educators, and policymakers all have a role to play in improving access to early mental health services. Voters can support legislation that increases funding for school-based mental health professionals. Community members can share accurate information about childhood mental health and advocate for prevention-based programs. Local leaders can prioritize investments in early intervention services that support both children and families.

When we invest in children’s mental health early, we strengthen families, schools, and entire communities. By expanding early mental health resources and supporting school-based services, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive emotionally. Early childhood support is not just an investment in individual children; it is an investment in the future of our communities.

Korrie Woodruff is a student at Weber State University.