Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it begins early. From the time a baby is in the womb through the teenage years, mental health significantly influences how children grow, learn, communicate, and build relationships.
As child development professionals, parents, peers, and individuals, understanding the various influences on mental health at each stage of childhood can help us better support children, families, and ourselves.
A child’s mental health journey begins before they are even born when a mother’s health, stress levels, and exposure to toxins during pregnancy can affect their baby’s brain development. As children grow, they undergo physical changes and are exposed to various environmental factors that continue to influence their emotional and behavioral development. These factors span across micro and macro levels.
From changes in neural circuits to large-scale natural disasters, youth mental health is influenced by complex biological, environmental, economic, and social factors. These elements have a particularly strong impact during childhood and adolescence, as these are critical periods of brain development. A developing and adaptable brain absorbs new information easily. That’s why many mental health conditions often begin during these stages. Research indicates that approximately 75% of mental health disorders start before age 25 (Uhlhaas et al., 2023).
Throughout various developmental stages, different influences have greater impacts. In early childhood, mental health starts at home.
Early Childhood
Mental health in early childhood creates a vital foundation for long-term development. Recognizing the challenges young children face and providing suitable support helps them become socially, behaviorally, and emotionally skilled individuals. During this stage, developing strong relationships with family members and early care providers is essential. When caregivers are emotionally supportive and responsive, it fosters a sense of security in children. This sense of security is crucial for learning, confidence, and socio-emotional growth. Therefore, interventions that address these relational and environmental needs can be very effective. Conversely, early stress, neglect, or trauma can lead to lasting negative impacts on emotional health. Along with environmental factors influencing a child’s mental health, genetic predispositions may make a child more vulnerable to stress and adversity. If not addressed quickly and effectively, these challenges can persist into later stages of development.
Identifying mental health conditions in early childhood can be challenging because children may lack the vocabulary and emotional awareness to express their needs and feelings. Therefore, as parents, guardians, teachers, and peers, it is important to watch for signs that might indicate mental health issues beyond what is typical for early childhood. These signs may include persistent irritability, irregular sleep and eating patterns, trouble focusing, social deficits, and notable changes in energy levels. When these symptoms are widespread, they may suggest mental health conditions such as anxiety, neurodevelopmental differences, and other behavioral disorders. However, while each of these symptoms could point to a diagnosable mental health or neurodevelopmental issue, it is also very common and normal for young children to display non-pathological behavioral changes. Seeking professional guidance can be very helpful in making this distinction.
Middle Childhood
As children start school, their world broadens, and they face many new influences. Peer relationships and academic success begin to shape their self-image, while challenges like bullying, learning difficulties, or family instability can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, or behavioral issues. Positive school experiences, supportive adults, nurturing classroom relationships, and consistent routines can have a significant impact during this stage. Adequate educational opportunities help children build resilience, develop social skills, and feel a sense of achievement. Strong support systems in early childhood are linked to higher academic performance and positive long-term educational and career outcomes. Conversely, a lack of educational opportunities increases the risk that children will develop psychological disorders and face behavioral challenges through adolescence and into adulthood. Given its importance, the need for quality early education must be addressed both on individual and societal levels. In schools, providing personalized care and attention can boost children's growth and confidence, while broader systemic issues must be tackled to ensure that educational needs are met in communities with historical, political, and socio-economic barriers.
Adolescence
Adolescence is a developmental stage characterized by increased sensitivity to external influences and rapid cognitive development. Teenagers must explore questions of identity while also dealing with peer pressure, academic stress, and significant emotional changes. Their natural tendency toward risk-taking, combined with the strong influence of social groups, makes them particularly vulnerable to outside pressures. During this period, mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders often arise or become more severe. According to the World Health Organization (2025), “it is estimated that one in seven (14.3%) of 10–19-year-olds experience mental health conditions”. This can be linked to environmental factors, biological predispositions, and access to support, all of which shape a teen’s emotional and behavioral development.
In modern times, adolescent mental health is also affected by digital media. Teens today have unprecedented access to online social networks filled with endless, unmonitored images, videos, graphics, communications, and more. While these stimuli can be entertaining and sometimes even educational, they can also have harmful effects on teens' mental health. Some of these effects include self-isolation, negative sleep habits, disruptions in impulse control and emotion regulation, and distorted self-image. Nonetheless, balancing the modern reliance on digital devices with the risks of overuse remains an ongoing challenge and discussion. Despite the many influences that can negatively impact a teen’s mental health, quality care at this stage can help repair previous deficits in emotional and behavioral functioning and lay the foundation for future progress and growth.
Interventions are most effective when applied on both individual and community levels. Through counseling and therapy, teens find safe spaces to share their feelings, improve coping skills, and grow personally. On a larger scale, strong social groups and supportive communities can give teens stable foundations to turn to during tough times and to celebrate their successes. Importantly, resilience developed at this stage can prepare individuals with the tools needed to handle temporary setbacks and bigger challenges later in life.
The Power of Early Support
Although their sponge-like brain qualities may make children and adolescents vulnerable to mental health challenges, proper care and mental flexibility also provide opportunities for great adaptability. Therefore, several basic protective factors can strengthen this resilience. Some include…
1. Physical activity – Helps reduce stress and boost mood
2. Healthy diet – Supports both physical and brain development
3. Quality sleep – Vital for mood regulation and concentration
4. Strong relationships – Loving, stable connections with family and friends are powerful
5. Early mental health support – Addressing concerns early leads to better outcomes
As discussed, mental health challenges can develop or arise at any age and often evolve over time. That is why it is so important to identify concerns early and provide appropriate support! Whether through counseling, school assistance, parenting guidance, or extracurricular activities, early intervention can greatly influence a child’s mental health development. Additionally, early and consistent support has been proven to improve not just immediate emotional well-being but also long-term behavior and future life outcomes. By recognizing the distinct needs of each age group and acting promptly when issues emerge, we can help children grow into confident, connected, and emotionally healthy adults.
References
World Health Organization. (2025, September 1). Mental health of adolescents. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
American Psychological Association. (2022, June). Child, adolescent, and family mental and behavioral health. https://www.apa.org/about/policy/child-adolescent-mental-behavioral-health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, June 9). About children's mental health. https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/about/index.html
Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University. (2024, October). InBrief: Early childhood mental health. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/InBrief-Early-Childhood-Mental-Health-1.pdf Harvard Center on Child Development
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Social media and mental health in children and teens. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/social-media-and-mental-health-in-children-and-teens Hopkins Medicine
Uhlhaas, P.J., Davey, C.G., Mehta, U.M. et al. Towards a youth mental health paradigm: a perspective and roadmap. Mol Psychiatry 28, 3171–3181 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-02202-z