Nurturing Young Minds: Insights on Early Childhood Mental Health

November marks Early Childhood Mental Health Awareness Month. In this interview with Kris Laudien of CBS News Detroit, Emily Mandigo, Assistant Director of Treatment Services at Oakland Family Services, provided valuable insights into the challenges and importance of identifying early childhood mental health issues.

In the past, there was a tendency to ignore or suppress children's emotions. However, contemporary approaches prioritize emotional expression in a positive manner, aiming to understand and support children in navigating their feelings.

Tantrums, fist-clenching, face-crunching, and other outbursts may indicate underlying mental health concerns in children. There are several strategies parents can employ when dealing with these types of behaviors.

One key approach is co-regulating with the child—sitting down, breathing together, and offering support. Creating a calm environment by reducing stimulation, such as turning off the TV and dimming lights, can also contribute to a child's emotional well-being.

Educational tools such as books can also be used to help children understand and express their emotions. The absence of vocabulary to articulate feelings can be a significant challenge for children, and educating them can bridge this gap. Additionally, sensory activities, like blowing bubbles and playing with toy cars, can be effective distractions and avenues for emotional expression.

Oakland Family Services offers support through caring, confidential, research-based therapy for people of all ages. Learn more about our Day One and Specialized Services for Youth programs.