October is Emotional Wellness Month. The National Institute of Health reminds us that “Physical, mental, emotional, and social health are all equally important and contribute to our overall well being.”
Emotional health is especially critical for children because it helps them develop the capacity to experience, regulate, and express emotion effectively. Regulating emotions for children can be challenging, but the skill helps them build confidence to navigate relationships, explore their environment, and learn.
The The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAYEC), highlights a study that finds, “.. children who are mentally healthy tend to be happier, show greater motivation to learn, have a more positive attitude toward school, more eagerly participate in class activities, and demonstrate higher academic performance than less mentally healthy peers.”
Managing your emotional well-being and supporting your child’s emotional wellness can be overwhelming as a parent or caregiver. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes that helping parents and caregivers who act in the role of parent is a critical public health priority. To help parents and other adults with mental health concerns in times of distress, the CDC funded the web campaign How Right Now to find resources and support.
In addition to national resources, local services for families in Baltimore City provide youth-focused resources for mental health screening, prevention, counseling and treatment, crisis support services, and behavioral health. Many of these resources are free or accept Maryland Medicaid.
If you or someone you know needs immediate emotional support, call or text 988, accessible 24 hours a day.
—Erica Jensen
Executive Director
Children’s Scholarship Fund Baltimore