Supporting Young Minds: Empowering Ohio Families to Understand Children’s Mental Health
- Groundwork Ohio
- Jul 23
- 4 min read
By Groundwork Ohio Early Childhood Fellows:
Mental health is just as important as physical health—but too often, signs of mental and emotional distress in young children are overlooked or misunderstood. As Ohio continues to grapple with rising mental health concerns among youth, it’s vital for families to be equipped with the tools, knowledge, and support systems necessary to recognize early challenges and act.
Family involvement plays a critical role in fostering well-being from the earliest years of life. Promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive begins with strong, informed support systems
Why Mental Health Matters from the Start
Mental health challenges don’t begin in adolescence—they can take root much earlier, even in the first five years of life. While data on children aged 0–5 is limited, broader research paints a troubling picture of youth mental health across Ohio.
Recognizing Early Warning Signs
Children may not always have the words to express what they’re feeling—but behaviors can offer important clues. Mental health challenges can look different depending on a child’s age and stage of development:
Infants & Toddlers (0–3 years):
Trouble sleeping or feeding
Excessive fussiness or irritability
Lack of eye contact or engagement
Preschoolers (3–5 years):
Aggressive or withdrawn behavior
Frequent tantrums beyond typical developmental stages
Regression (e.g., bedwetting, loss of language skills
If these behaviors persist or worsen, it may be time to consult a pediatrician, early intervention provider, or child mental health professional.
Finding help can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone. In Ohio, families can access:
Help Me Grow Ohio: Early intervention and home visiting services to support your child’s development and connect you with local resources.
Ohio Early Childhood Mental Health Services: Provides training and consultation for parents and caregivers and direct support for children experiencing mental health challenges.
Ohio 211: Call 2-1-1 to be connected to local mental health, childcare, food, housing, and utility support resources in your county.
Local Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants: Many counties offer specialists who can work directly with families and early educators to support a child’s social-emotional development.
Your Pediatrician or Local Children’s Hospital: Pediatricians can provide referrals for developmental screenings, counseling, or evaluations for your child.
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services: Offers assistance with SNAP benefits, Medicaid, childcare, and employment resources.
Ohio Mental Health Resource Guide: For counseling and mental health services, you can call the Ohio CareLine 24/7 at 1-800-720-9616.
Local School Supports: If you need help with school supplies, counseling, bullying prevention or additional school-based services, Empower our Youth Foundation can coordinate with school counselors or social workers and can be reached at empowerupthevoice@gmail.com.
Reaching out early can help your child receive the support they need for emotional well-being and lifelong success.
The Role of Families in Early Mental Health
Parents and caregivers are a child’s first and most important teachers and advocates. Early emotional experiences shape brain development, making responsive caregiving essential. When families are supported with access to counseling, peer support, and community-based programs they’re better able to nurture their child’s emotional resilience. Research from the Health Policy Institute of Ohio shows that childhood mental health conditions are linked to long-term outcomes, including physical health, employment, and academic success.
As we advocate for and engage families early, we can break cycles of inequity and open the door to brighter futures.
Building a Stronger System of Support
Improving children’s mental health requires a coordinated, community-based approach. Families need:
Access to culturally competent care that understands diverse backgrounds and experiences
Streamlined referrals from pediatricians and early childhood educators
Parent education and advocacy training to help navigate complex systems
As one Ohio caregiver and one parent recently shared:
“When I finally found a local therapist who understood my child’s needs, everything changed. But getting there was overwhelming. Families need more help connecting the dots.”
“When a family lost childcare due to losing their job, Empower our Youth Foundation was able to assist the family with wraparound services in finding employment and regaining child care for their children.”
Take Action: What Families and Advocates Can Do
Learn the Signs: Know the early indicators of mental health challenges in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers so you can act promptly.
Talk Openly About Feelings: Create a safe space at home for your child to share emotions without fear or shame.
Seek Help Early: If you notice concerning behaviors, contact your pediatrician or reach out to early childhood mental health services in your county.
Share and Connect: Spread awareness by sharing resources with other families, child care providers, and community leaders to build a stronger network of support in your community.
Advocate for Investments: Encourage state and local policymakers to invest in early intervention, culturally competent care, and family-centered support systems.
Final Thoughts
Mental health is foundational to lifelong success. By empowering families with knowledge and resources, children are not only supported—but entire communities are strengthened. The time to act is now. Together, we can ensure that every Ohio child, from birth, has the opportunity to grow up healthy in mind, body, and spirit.