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Craig Yabuki Mental Health Center

Early childhood mental health services

The first few years of a baby or child’s life affects the health of their mind and body. Their brain begins to grow and learn how to act, behave, think, and feel. This is the beginning of their mental health. This early childhood time can be the start of good mental health and wellbeing for the rest of their life. 

Young children’s brains grow and react to stress in the world around them. They act differently than older children to stress, worry, and feelings. Helping young children with these feelings or worries early may stop problems later in life.  This is sometimes called an early childhood mental health intervention. 

Our team has special training to work with babies and children under the age of five years old. Our clinical staff, doctors, and providers are certified in early childhood mental health.

Find the right help

We are here to help. Our staff are trained to help you find the program, place, or person you need to help your child. Our staff who helps you find resources is called your access navigator team. There is no worry or question too big or too small. Call (414) 266-3339 or use our contact form.

Helpful resources

Frequently asked questions

Do babies and young children really have mental health issues?

Yes! Infants and young children can have behavioral or emotional problems.  They can show strange behaviors or emotional responses in some situations or with some people. Sometimes if an infant or young child has a problem like this, the bond between a caregiver and the child may change.  The caregiver may pay more or less attention to the baby or be more annoyed or worried at the baby’s behavior. These actions can change the relationship between the infant and caregiver.  Infants and young children can feel changes in their caregivers and react to these changes.

What is Early Childhood mental health?

Infant and early childhood mental health, is also called social and emotional health.  It is the skill of a baby or child to form close and safe bonds with adults.  It is also babies being able to feel and show many feelings and to learn about their surroundings.  For babies and young children, this happens in their family, community and cultural groups.

What are some possible things to watch for?

  • Poor sleeping patterns
  • Hard time with feeding and eating
  • Crying more than is normal
  • Stiff body when held
  • Restlessness 
  • Gas and tummy aches
  • Lack of weight gain/growth
  • Not meeting “normal” milestones (sitting up, crawling, scooting, etc.)

What mental health services do you offer for infants and toddlers?

  • Mental and Behavioral Health services such as Early Childhood Mental Health Assessments, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Play Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
  • Prevention services, such as home-visiting services and navigation services for pregnant women and new parents.
  • Triple P (Positive Parenting Program)