Infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) refers to the full continuum of services and supports that promote healthy child development, prevent mental health problems, and identify and treat mental health disorders. IECMH is often misunderstood to be relegated to the realm of mental health professionals, however, anyone who touches the life of a child has the potential to promote healthy social–emotional development and well-being. The articles in this issue of the ZERO TO THREE Journal describe the kinds of services and experiences that support IECMH in a variety of programs and settings across different populations. All the articles underscore the essential components of IECMH that prioritize the emotional health of very young children and the quality of their caregiving relationships. Undoubtably, the stressors of the current pandemic, with the associated health and economic devastation, bring a heightened sense of urgency to IECMH awareness, advocacy, and funding. The ZERO TO THREE website offers a wide range of resources to help in these efforts: (www.zerotothree.org/iecmh)
2020 has certainly been a year of changes, new challenges, and new ways of working and living. In this atmosphere of creativity and growth, we are pleased to let you know that exciting changes are coming to the ZERO TO THREE Journal production schedule. Beginning with this issue, the ZERO TO THREE Journal will publish 4 full issues per year in print and digital formats in September, December, March, and June. In addition, we will publish supplemental online-only digital articles throughout the entire year on a rolling basis on a variety of topics informed by current events and our readers’ areas of interest. We hope you will enjoy the expanded array of new resources available to you, and we invite you to let us know the topics and content that you most want to see in future issues and articles from the ZERO TO THREE Journal.
Suggested Citation
Powers, S. (2020). This issue and why it matters. ZERO TO THREE Journal, 41(1), 2.
