Early Childhood Intervention

Early Intervention programs in the public interest It is in the public interest for early intervention in early childhood to be a key focus within the mental health field, because in the long-run this supports the sufferer and the community. A young children and youth mental health focused system, would be an effective step because it will avert the development of long term disease burden (McGorry & Birleson, 2009). These long term diseases, as discussed, can be; anxiety, depression, conduct disorder and hyperactivity disorder, which can develop early for some individuals due to early life experiences and social stressors. If a young child is weighed down by significant adversity, the brain’s stress response system can become over activated,

There are two primary classifications of difficulties, which are based on whether the child’s emotions are internalising or externalising. According to a KidsMatter publication, a child with internalising difficulties shows behaviours that are over-controlled, they may show nervous or anxious temperament, and become worried or withdrawn, yet on the other hand children with externalising difficulties show under-controlled behaviours, such as; impulsive, reactive or aggressive and oppositional tendencies (2013). Using observation and intervening early can prevent these childhood issues developing further in long-term mental health disorders, extreme cases of internalising behaviours can result in anxiety or depression later in life. Additionally if more teachers, social workers and other child workers are aware of the DSM system, they can become aware of behavioural and emotional symptoms, and help support children by teaching them about their emotions and teaching them the strategies to regulate their emotions, or identify where other support services may be needed early in the onset of the mental health difficulties. As stated by Sawyer, “The school environment is an important part of the social life of young people and many mental health problems emerge for the

This subsequently will minimise the severity and duration of the condition and reduce broader impacts (Department of Health, 2008). The broader impacts of mental health effect the individual, the family and the community and can be directly linked to a number of poor outcomes in adolescence and adulthood such as; educational problems, long-term behavioural problems, poor mental health later in life and high economic impacts (HIMH, 2016). Young children in primary school are at different stages of development, yet research has shown that mental health difficulties have been associated with a reduced capability to learn, and a higher rate of school dropout in the future stages (Fischer, Anthony, Lalich, Blue, 2014). In relation to long-term behavioural problems, according to studies early symptoms provide key evidence to future mental health difficulties in late adolescence and adulthood (HIMH, 2016; Flaspohler, Paternite, Evans, Harpine & Weist, 2005). Moreover, not only is there an emotional burden, data shows that mental health results in a high financial impact that effects the individual, their family and society (World Health Organisation, 2003). Understandably a key economic impact of mental health is the greater use of welfare and public health systems. In