Taking care of our mental health is important at every stage of life.
- Early and middle childhood (birth-11 years old): Mental health in childhood includes reaching developmental and emotional milestones and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems. Children who experience good mental health have a positive quality of life and can function well at home, in school, socially, and in their communities.
- Adolescence (12-17 years old): Adolescence is a unique and formative time when many health behaviors and habits are established and carry over into adult years. Adolescence is also a time of important developmental changes. Physical, emotional, and social challenges, including exposure to poverty or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems.
- Young adulthood (18-26 years old): Early adulthood can come with major transitions such as entering college and the workforce, securing housing, or starting a family. Positive mental health and well-being in young adulthood can help young people meet these transitional changes successfully.
- Middle adulthood (27-64 years old): In middle adulthood, adults may face life stressors related to jobs, parenting, caregiving, and relationships.
- Older adulthood (65+ years old): As people age, they may experience life changes that impact their mental health, such as retirement, coping with a serious illness, or losing a loved one. Some may experience feelings of grief, social isolation, or loneliness.
To learn about risk factors and protective factors, click HERE.