MENTAL HEALTH >> Mental Wellness

What is mental health? The term, mental health, can have many different meanings, depending on who you ask. Mental health, as defined by the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health, "refers to the successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity." On the other end of the term is mental illness, a term that "refers to all mental disorders".

So, why is mental health important in Early Head Start and Head Start? Consider these statistics:

• Mental health problems affect one in every five young people at any given time. (Department of Health & Human Services)
• An estimated two-thirds of all young people with mental health problems are not getting the help they need. (Department of Health & Human Services)
• Studies indicate that 1 in 5 children and adolescents (20 percent) may have a diagnosable disorder. Estimates of the number of children who have mental disorders range from 7.7 million to 12.8 million. (Department of Health & Human Services)

Behavioral health, as defined by a glossary of terms used in medical care, is an umbrella term that includes mental health, psychiatric, marriage and family counseling, addictions treatment and substance abuse. Services are provided by a myriad of providers, including social workers, counselors, psychiatrist, psychologists, neurologists and even family practice physicians. Simply put, behavioral health means the impact of ones behavior on their overall health, for example, tobacco use.

Our goal in Head Start is to promote the development of healthy behaviors and lifestyles in hopes of reducing chronic disease, substance abuse and other risky behaviors.

Mental health, as defined by the Head Start Bureau, is the positive social emotional development of the Head Start child and the overall mental wellness of the Head Start family and community.

Challenges that Early Head Start and Head Start sites report:

• Difficulty in accessing mental health consultation and referral services for children in their communities.
• Behavioral management of the child in the classroom.
• Increase in chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes among Head Start families and staff.
• Methamphetamine use in tribal communities and effects on the EHS and HS child.