Healthy social-emotional development in young children paves the way for mental health in adulthood. However, Walter Gilliam’s 2005 research dramatically showed that many young children were not developing these competencies. In fact, Gilliam showed that preschoolers were being expelled or suspended from their early childhood setting at an alarming rate (Gilliam, 2005). Equipped with this information, states have begun looking for new and innovative ways to reverse this trend. Early childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC) is emerging as an effective strategy to help young children and their families increase social and emotional health while decreasing challenging behavior (Duran et al., 2009).

ECMHC is a preventative intervention that places ECMH consultants in early childhood settings to build social-emotional competence in programs and classrooms. Consultants also partner with families to address a child’s individual needs and/or provide information, training, and resources to all families.

GUCCHD’s research identified the following questions:
• What level of intervention intensity is needed to produce good outcomes?
• What are the best service models?
• What types of activities are most important for the consultant to provide?
• Which outcomes should be targeted, and how should these be measured?
• What is the longitudinal impact?
• What is the cost-benefit of ECMHC?

ECMHC is increasingly becoming a proven strategy to develop social-emotional competencies in young children. Positive outcomes for children, staff, and programs have been attributed to ECMHC services. However, more research is needed in this field to begin identifying specific components that are critical in achieving successful outcomes. As states continue to create, implement, and expand these services, ECMHC has the potential to transform professionals’ approach to mental health for young children and their families.

Read the full research article about early childhood mental health by Zero to Three