Healthy Mental Development

Healthy mental development is:

Supporting Relational Health 
The mental health of infants, children, adolescents, young adults, and their caregivers are inherently linked, and strong family relationships promote resilience and positive mental outcomes for both children and caregivers. These relationships should be:
• Safe: Free of physical or psychological harm 
• Stable: Adult is dependably there for the child 
• Nurturing: Child’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs are sensitively and consistently met
Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships buffer childhood adversity when it occurs and promote future resilience.

Learn more about a relational health approach in early childhood here. 
Implementing Trauma Informed Care
Childhood adversity and trauma can lead to toxic stress and mental health symptoms.  By recognizing, assessing, and responding to the effects of trauma, trauma-informed care promotes healthy mental development. Fundamentally, trauma-informed care is relational health care, and by supporting the caregiver-child relationship, pediatricians can promote recovery from trauma and the restoration of resilience. 
To learn more about trauma-informed care, visit the National Center for Relational Health and Trauma Informed Care here. 
Promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Equity, diversity, and inclusion play a core role in supporting healthy mental development in care delivery to all children. Bias and discrimination have a profound impact on the health status of children, adolescents, emerging adults, and their families, both physically and mentally. Celebrating the diversity of children and families and promoting nurturing, inclusive environments, as well as actively opposing intolerance, bigotry, bias and discrimination are necessary to encourage healthy mental development in each child.
To find out more about equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts at the AAP, click here. 
Using a Strengths-Based Approach
A focus on youth and parental strengths is vital to encouraging mental health-promoting relationships and interactions. Family growth is fostered when strengths are centered, and shared decision making between parents and clinicians is encouraged.  Working together with families and encouraging their role as primary partners in their children’s health care can have a remarkable effect on health promotion. 
Learn more about the communication strategies for a strengths-based approach here, and find tips on eliciting youth and parental strengths here. 
Helping Families Navigate Stressors, Symptoms, and Diagnoses in a Healthy Way
Pediatricians offer a safe and understanding environment where mental health and substance use concerns can be shared and conversations can begin. These conversations can help reduce stigma and improve resilience and healing. When behavioral, emotional, and social challenges arise, pediatricians are in a good position to intervene early with support and referrals for treatment when necessary.
Learn more about AAP resources to help pediatricians integrate mental health screening and related care into pediatric practice here.