The Halton Early Years Mental Health Committee (EYMHC) is a cross-sector collaboration of service providers who work with infants/young children and their families. Research has shown that significant mental health issues can and do exist in very young children and tend to manifest as serious social, emotional or behavioural problems (Zeenah, 2009). This session will highlight the importance that you, as professionals in early childhood settings, play in promoting the mental health and well-being of all young children and their families. A child’s well-being and healthy brain development is contingent upon infants/young children having healthy relationships with their caregivers. Other important factors to consider include developing a sense of belonging and valuing and respecting an individual or family’s culture and beliefs. The session will also increase your awareness of the Halton Early Years Mental Health Toolkit itself; where to find it; highlight the many resources which can help promote professional development and explore further opportunities for embedding this content
into practice.