From the Very Start: Centering Mental Health in Early Childhood
Mental Health Awareness Month offers a timely reminder that mental health starts not in adolescence or adulthood—but from the earliest days of life. For young children, mental health is not simply the absence of illness. It’s the foundation for holistic well-being: the ability to explore safely, learn actively, relate to others, and bounce back from setbacks.
This is the driving belief behind CHAVORE, an initiative working across five countries and funded by the European Union to support the mental health and overall well-being of young children in vulnerable communities—especially young Roma children who often face compounded disadvantages.
Grounded in the latest research, CHAVORE embraces a 360-degree understanding of child well-being, where emotional, psychological, and social development are inseparable from housing stability, access to early education, healthcare, nutrition, and freedom from discrimination. Mental health in early childhood is shaped as much by a caregiver’s warm response as it is by the absence of chronic toxic stress, unsafe environments, or social exclusion.
The urgency is real. Young Roma children across Europe experience significantly higher rates of emotional and behavioral difficulties—driven by poverty, discrimination, substandard living conditions, and limited access to early childhood development services. Yet, they also show extraordinary resilience, strengthened by stable connections with their caregivers, community bonds and cultural pride. CHAVORE leverages these strengths, building locally-rooted, culturally responsive early childhood programs that center the voices and experiences of Roma children and families.
What makes CHAVORE stand out is its commitment to systemic change. The project doesn't just deliver services—it aligns with EU policies like the European Child Guarantee and the Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health, pushing for integrated, rights-based approaches that link child health, education, and social inclusion.
The science is clear: the earlier we act, the greater the impact. And the cost of inaction—emotionally, socially, and economically—is far too high. That’s why CHAVORE exists. It reminds us that investing in the mental health and well-being of our youngest citizens isn't optional—it's essential for building equitable, inclusive societies where every child has the chance to thrive.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s shift the conversation: from individual treatment to systemic prevention. From surviving to thriving. From neglecting the early years to making them the priority they deserve to be.
