05/06/2025
GA-AIMH’s mission is to promote the mental health of infants, young children, and their families as a foundation for healthy development. One of the key ways we pursue this mission is through education and raising awareness about the social and emotional needs of young children.
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) refers to the developing capacity of children from birth to age five to experience, manage, and express a full range of emotions; form secure and nurturing relationships; and actively explore and learn from their environment. These capacities are shaped within the context of caregiving relationships and influenced by family, community, and cultural expectations.
Anyone who touches the lives of babies, young children, and their families plays a vital role in promoting early relational health. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, healthcare provider, or community leader, your interactions can support the development of safe, stable, and nurturing relationships that are essential for a child’s healthy emotional and social development. By recognizing the power of relationships in the earliest years, we can all contribute to building strong foundations for lifelong well-being.