Addressing Challenges in Child Mental Health Research and Strategies for Comprehensive Development (2nd Edition)

Dear Colleagues,

Importance of Research

This monograph underscores the importance of research in the field of child mental health. Through rigorous studies and data analyses, we can identify the risk and protective factors that influence the mental health of children and young people, including the effects of parent–child interaction. Additionally, research provides crucial information for the development of effective interventions and public health policies aimed at promoting psychological well-being from an early age.

Current Challenges

We face various challenges in the field of child mental health, ranging from a lack of access to adequate services to the social stigma associated with mental disorders. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these difficulties, with an increase in levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among children and young people due to social isolation, the disruption of routines, and uncertainty about the future. The interruption or deterioration of parent–child interactions during these crises is an additional risk factor that deserves special consideration.

Strategies for Improvement

To address these challenges, it is crucial to implement comprehensive strategies involving multiple stakeholders, including health professionals, educators, families, and communities. This may include promoting healthy school environments, supporting and enhancing positive parent–child interactions, and training healthcare professionals in the early detection and treatment of mental disorders, as well as public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and promote acceptance and support for those facing emotional difficulties.

Conclusions

In summary, this monograph highlights the urgency of addressing child mental health as a global priority. By understanding current challenges and developing effective strategies—including interventions that target the quality of parent–child interaction—we can work towards a future where all children and young people have the opportunity to grow and thrive in environments that promote their mental health and overall well-being.

Dr. Tíscar Rodríguez-Jiménez
Dr. Ignasi Navarro-Soria
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• child mental health
• cognitive development
• emotional well-being
• mental disorders
• early interventions
• prevention strategies
• social impact
• access to healthcare services
• stigma and discrimination
• parent–child interaction