Home-Based Mental Health: A Call to Strengthen Family-Based Support for Children

This paper examines the critical role of family-based support in promoting children's mental health by investigating the possible causes of children's poor mental health, early health identification, management, and prevention that can positively affect and prevent the onset of mental disorders. This has become necessary because children's mental health is an integral component of health and well-being, influencing academic, social, and economic outcomes across the lifespan. Since the foundation is the strength of the structure, it is assumed that the seed of poor mental health might have been laid at home in the early years. Child mental health is a significant public challenge that impacts children's ability to learn, behave, and manage their emotions. The findings of the paper demonstrate that poor mental health among children is a pressing global concern. It emphasises that early home factors, including parental styles and personality, family structure, marital divorce, separation, and other family changes, are primary contributors to the decline in children’s mental health. It concludes that children’s mental health requires a holistic approach that integrates parents, caregivers, schools, government, and health professionals who should work together to create a nurturing environment that supports their well-being. The paper, therefore, recommends a reorientation programme to ensure interventions in areas like health, education and social protection, such as parenting and whole-school programmes. It calls for societies to break the silence surrounding mental health by addressing stigma, promoting understanding, and taking seriously the experiences of children and young people.