Mental Health Problems in Early Childhood Can Impair Learning and Behavior for Life

December, 2008
National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, Harvard University
To better understand why children may be at risk for mental health impairments, how best to provide assistance and strategies for preventing problems from arising, it is important to look at a child's early relationships. The report states that significant adversity early in life can damage the architecture of a developing brain and increase the likelihood of significant mental health problems that may emerge early on or years later.