ECE 214 Nutrition and Health of Children and Families
Instructor: Karen Radkowski
July 24, 2011
Many young people have mental, emotional, and behavioral problems that are real, painful, and costly. These troubles, often called "disorders," are sources of stress for children and their families, schools, and communities. The amount of young people and their families that are affected by mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders is considerable. “It is estimated that as many as one in five children and adolescents may have a mental health disorder that can be identified and require treatment”.
Mental health disorders in young people are usually caused by biology, environment, or a combination of both. Some examples of biological factors are genetics, chemical imbalances in the body, and damage to the central nervous system, like as a head injury. Most environmental factors will affect mental health, such as an exposure to violence, stress, and the loss of a loved one.
Communities and families together, can help young people to cope with mental disorders. A variety of services are needed to meet the needs of these young people and their families. Occasionally mental health problems come from environmental stressors and often they stem from biological factors. For all children, a difficult relationship of these two factors exists, along with individual processes of personality development. "Children affect their environment at the same time that their environments are affecting them." Environmental factors are the factors that people have the most control over, and as a result more and more information will be offered about how to steer environmental factors in a positive direction for a more healthy emotional development.
Conscientious caregivers are taught to watch for signs babies give to indicate their physical needs. Infant’s emotional or mental health can be harder to understand. The interaction between infants and their caregiver
References: Sorte, J., Daeschel, I., & Amador, C. (2011). Nutrition, health and safety for young children. Pearson: Upper Saddle River http://www.Vanderbilt.edu/csefel/ www.childwelfare.gov/.../foundatione.cfm CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY CONSORTIUM UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Mental Health in Infancy and Early Childhood Fall, 2002