The Crisis in Children's Mental Health: What About the Babies?

Abstract

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Children's Hospital Association (CHA) declared a national emergency in children's mental health.¹ Much of the reporting has focused on children and teens, particularly with regard to increased emergency department visits and suicide attempts. Very little has been publicized about children between birth and 5 years of age, who may be among the most vulnerable to the psychosocial impacts of COVID-19. This commentary will outline some of the impacts of COVID-19 on very young children and their families and highlight activities of members of the Infant and Preschool Committee to address these impacts.