Information including peer pressure, bullying, self-harm. NSPCC Learning
Infant, child and adolescent mental health
Mental health is as important to a child’s safety and wellbeing as their physical health. It can impact on all aspects of their life, including their physical wellbeing, relationships and educational attainment. Mental health can also change over time, to varying degrees of seriousness, and for different reasons.
We know it’s an important issue for children. Over half of all Childline counselling sessions in 2024/25 related to mental or emotional health and wellbeing.
Negative experiences such as abuse and neglect can adversely impact a child’s mental health. Mental health issues can also sometimes lead to safeguarding and child protection issues, for example if a child’s mental health begins to put them or other people at risk of harm.
Supporting children with mental health issues
It’s crucial that anyone who works or volunteers with children is able to recognise the signs that a child may be struggling with their mental health. It’s also important to know how to take appropriate action to support babies, children and young people in getting the help they need.
We’ve put together some information to help you recognise and respond to concerns about babies’, children’s and young people’s mental health.
What does mental health mean?
Mental health is an individual’s cognitive, behavioural and emotional wellbeing.1 It’s something we all have – including every baby, child and young person.
We use the term “mental health issues” to refer to mental health problems, conditions and mental illnesses. These issues may or may not be medically diagnosed.
References
- Mind (2020) Mental health problems: an introduction. [Accessed 01/07/2022].
- Norman, R. et al (2012) The long-term health consequences of child physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [Accessed 04/07/2022].
- Spatz Wisdom (1999) Posttraumatic stress disorder in abused and neglected children grown up. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 156(8).
- Cecil C.A.M. et al (2017) Disentangling the mental health impact of childhood abuse and neglect. Child Abuse & Neglect, 63, 106–119.
- Gavin, H. (2011) Sticks and stones may break my bones: the effects of emotional abuse. Journal of Aggression Maltreatment and Trauma, 20(5): 503-529.
- Lewis S., Arsenault L. et al. (2019) The epidemiology of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder in a representative cohort of young people in England and Wales. Lancet Psychiatry 2019; 6 (3): 247–256.
- Chandan, J. S. et al (2019) The burden of mental ill health associated with childhood maltreatment in the UK, using The Health Improvement Network database: a population-based retrospective cohort study. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(11).
- NSPCC (2019) Transforming mental health services for children who have been abused: July 2019 (PDF). [Accessed 04/07/2022].
- Faulconbridge, J., Hunt, K. and Laffan, A. (eds) (2019) Improving the psychological wellbeing of children and young people: effective prevention and early intervention across health, education and social care. London: Jessica Kingsley.
- Bignall, T. et al (2020) Racial disparities in mental health: Literature and evidence review (PDF). London: Race Equality Foundation.
- Chakraborty, A et al (2011) Mental health of the non-heterosexual population of England. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 198(2).
- Becerra-Culqui, T. A. et al (2018) Mental health of transgender and gender nonconforming youth compared with their peers. Paediatrics, 141(5).
- National Youth Advocacy Service (2019) Looked after minds: prioritising the mental health of care-experienced children and young people (PDF). [s.l.] National Youth Advocacy Service.
- Sharpe, R. et al. (2021) A school-based cross-sectional study to understand the public health measures needed to improve the emotional and mental wellbeing of young carers aged 12 to 14 years. Families, Relationships and Societies, 12(2): 253-271.
- Carers Trust (2023) Being a young carer is not a choice it’s just what we do (PDF). London: Carers Trust.
- Mental Health Foundation (2022) All the lonely people: mental health awareness week 9-15 May 2022 (PDF). London: Mental Health Foundation.
- Almeida, I.L.L. et al (2022) Social isolation and its impact on child and adolescent development: a systematic review. Revista Paulista de Pediatria, 40.
- Theodosiou L. et al (2020) Children and young people’s mental health: early intervention, ongoing support and flexible evidence-based care. Pavilion: West Sussex.
- Mental Health Foundation and Camelot Foundation (2006) Truth hurts: report on the national inquiry into self-harm among young people. London: Mental Health Foundation.
- Hogg, S. and Moody, J. (2023) Understanding and supporting mental health in infancy and early childhood – a toolkit to support local action in the UK (PDF). London: UNICEF UK.
- Department for Education (n.d.) Mental health for early years children. [Accessed 13/05/2024].
- Center on the Developing Child (2013) InBrief: early childhood mental health [Accessed 13/05/2024].
- Anne Freud (n.d.) Common difficulties in the early years: trauma. [Accessed 13/05/2024].
- Anne Freud (n.d.) Common difficulties in the early years: trauma. [Accessed 13/05/2024].
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2020) Antenatal and postnatal mental health: clinical management and service guidance. [Accessed 05/08/2024].
- Rodrigues A.L. et al (2022) Interventions for perinatal depression and anxiety in fathers: a mini-review. Frontiers in Psychology, 12.
- Stein, A. et al (2014) Effects of perinatal mental disorders on the fetus and child. The Lancet, 384(9956): 1800-1819.
- The Guidelines and Audit Implementation Network (GAIN) (2011) Guidelines on the use of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (PDF). Belfast: GAIN.
- Department of Health and Social Care (2023) Government action on major conditions and diseases. [Accessed 02/05/2023].
- Garratt K., Parkin E., and Laing J. (2023) Mental health policy in England. London: House of Commons Library.
- Department of Health and Social Care (2023) Major conditions strategy: case for change and our strategic framework. [Accessed 05/08/2024].
- Department of Health (2021) Mental health strategy 2021-2031. [Accessed 01/07/2022].
- Department of Health (2021) Mental health action plan. Belfast: Department of Health.
- Scottish Government (2021) Getting it right for every child. [Accessed 09/08/2024].
- Scottish Government (2022) Community mental health and wellbeing supports and services: framework. [Accessed 04/07/2022].
- Welsh Government (2012) Together for mental health: a strategy for mental health and wellbeing in Wales. Cardiff: Welsh Government.
- Department for Education (DfE) (2025) Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework. [Accessed 22/07/2025].
- Public Health Agency (2016) Infant mental health framework for Northern Ireland (PDF). Belfast: Public Health Agency.
- Care Inspectorate (2022) A quality framework for daycare of children, childminding and school-aged childcare (PDF). Dundee: Care Inspectorate.
- Welsh Government (2021) Framework on embedding a whole-school approach to emotional and mental wellbeing. [Accessed 05/08/2024].
- Department of Education (2021) Children & young people’s emotional health and wellbeing in education framework (final version). [Accessed 01/07/2022].
- Department for Education (DfE) (2018) Mental health and behaviour in schools. [Accessed 01/07/2022].
- Department for Education (DfE) (2021) Promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing in schools and colleges. [Accessed 02/10/2025].
- Department for Education (DfE) (2020) Relationships education, relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education London: Department for Education
- PSHE (2021) Teacher guidance: teaching about mental health and emotional wellbeing. [Accessed 04/07/2022].
- Public Health England (2021) Promoting children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing. [Accessed 04/07/2022].
- Department of Education (2021) Children & young people’s emotional health and wellbeing in education framework (final version). [Accessed 01/07/2022].
- Scottish Government (2020) Access to counselling in secondary schools: guidance. Edinburgh: Scottish Government.
- Welsh Government (2021) Framework on embedding a whole-school approach to emotional and mental wellbeing. [Accessed 05/08/2024].
- National Autistic Society and Mind (2021) Good practice guide for professionals delivering talking therapies for autistic adults and children. [Accessed 07/08/2024].
- Department of Health (2012) Promoting quality care: good practice guidance on the assessment and management of risk in mental health and learning disability. [Accessed 03/05/2023].
- Kelly, A (2020) A resource for schools to support children who have or may have special educational needs: chapter: social behaviour and emotional wellbeing (PDF). [Bangor]: Department of Education.
- Scottish Government (2019) Supporting disabled children, young people and their families: guidance. Edinburgh: Scottish Government.
Credit sources from (“https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-health-development/child-mental-health NSPCC Learning”)