Child Development and Public Health

Mental health of mothers, fathers, and families play a large and impressionable role in how their young children grow, develop, and learn.  Healthy mental health of mothers, fathers, and families has a positive impact on the development of their child’s well-being, psychological and social development, cognitive ability, and educational achievement.  If parents and families mental health in unhealthy, it has a negative impact on their child’s development.  Parents and families mental health, whether health or unhealthy, influences their child’s development.  For children to grow and develop to their fullest potential, parents and families need to be aware of their mental health can affect their child.

The mental health of mothers, fathers, and families influence a child’s development around the world.  In Brazil, children are more likely to have a mental health disorders and behavior problems due to severe physical punishment, poverty, their mothers’ mental health state, and violence.  Mothers and female caregivers mental health is crucial to the development of their child’s mental health.  Brazilian girls living in poverty are twice as likely to have emotional problems compared to boys.  Families living in poverty are less likely to obtain health care services compared to middle class families.

The information that I found on the mental health of mothers, fathers, and families is crucial to the development of children worldwide.  Being understanding of families’ unique situations and providing the proper resources to ensure they receive the services needed promotes the well-being of young children and families.  If I have a student that is dealing with mental health problems, I speak to the school counselor and refer the student to SST (Student Services Team).  At SST, we discuss the student’s progress and concerns using data, checklists, and work samples.  Based on the outcome of the assessments completed, an IEP (Individualized Education Program) may be necessary.  There are also mental health agencies that we refer families to who provide counseling to students and families weekly.  The information provided on mental of mothers, fathers, and families confirms by beliefs of providing students and families with the resources needed to be healthy.