Emotional challenges in neurodivergent children and young people: Progress and open questions for research and practice

This Editorial introduces the March 2026 issue of <i>JCPP Advances</i>, marking the journal's sixth year with 15 impactful articles spanning key topics in child and adolescent mental health. A recurring theme across several articles is the investigation of emotional challenges-encompassing depression, anxiety, and self-harm-particularly in the context of neurodivergence. These articles advance understanding of candidate cognitive-affective drivers of emotional challenges, emphasise the role of social and contextual factors, and highlight the importance of research employing a transdiagnostic approach and informed by lived experience. Here, we underscore critical implications for assessment, prevention, and intervention, and reflect on outstanding challenges and future directions for research and clinical practice.