CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — The first five years of life shape how children learn, form relationships and cope with emotions, yet conversations about mental and behavioral health in very young children are often misunderstood or avoided.

Local leaders with Birth to Five Illinois say changing that conversation is critical for families across central Illinois.

During a recent interview on the radio program Focus, regional council managers Jill Duden and Angie Hunt discussed the growing need for early childhood mental health support and the work being done across the state to strengthen services for families with young children.

Duden serves Region 9, which includes Champaign County and Ford County, while Hunt oversees Region 11, covering Clark County, Coles County, Cumberland County, Douglas County, Edgar County, Moultrie County, and Shelby County.

Rather than providing direct services like childcare or preschool, Birth to Five Illinois focuses on improving how early childhood systems work together.

“We help make sure all the services families rely on — childcare, early intervention, home visiting and mental health supports — are working better together,” Duden said. “We help communities identify what’s working, what’s missing and how to fix those gaps.”

The statewide initiative is divided into 39 regions. Each region has two advisory groups: an action council made up of early childhood professionals and a family council composed of parents and caregivers with children from birth to age 8.

The councils review local data and discuss barriers families face and help guide regional priorities.

“Mental and behavioral health was one of the biggest needs we heard about when we spoke with families and providers,” Hunt said.

One of the challenges is that many people still associate mental health only with adult diagnoses such as anxiety or depression. In young children, however, mental health is tied closely to emotional development and relationships.

“In the earliest years, mental health is really about healthy attachment and how children experience relationships,” Duden explained. “If a child trusts that someone will respond when they cry or need help, that builds the foundation for emotional development.”

As children grow into toddlerhood and preschool years, mental health appears in their ability to express feelings, manage frustration and interact with peers. Those skills develop gradually through supportive relationships with caregivers.

“When a caregiver says, ‘I see you’re frustrated, let’s take a breath together,’ that adult is literally helping wire the child’s brain for future coping skills,” Duden said.

But families and providers across the region say accessing support can be difficult.

In rural communities especially, transportation challenges, long waitlists and a limited number of providers can delay services. Stigma surrounding mental health can also prevent families from seeking help.

“Sometimes parents worry that asking for help means something is wrong with their child,” Duden said. “But mental health is health. We don’t hesitate to call the doctor for an ear infection, and we shouldn’t hesitate to ask for support for emotional development.”

Birth to Five Illinois is working to address those challenges through outreach, community listening sessions and training opportunities.

In Region 9, the organization shares educational resources and information about local services through social media and community events.

Region 11 has also launched specialized training for caregivers and early childhood professionals. A recent series called “Big Behaviors, Big Emotions,” hosted at the Mattoon Public Library, filled quickly and now has a waiting list.

“That tells us people want this information,” Hunt said. “Providers are asking for tools to support children in positive ways and help them build strong emotional foundations.”

The organization is also encouraging parents and community members to get involved through regional councils and storytelling initiatives that help inform policy decisions.

Family council members receive stipends for participating in meetings and sharing their experiences, something organizers say ensures that parents’ voices guide the work.

“Families are the experts in their own lives,” Hunt said. “They can tell us exactly what’s happening and what support is needed.”

Birth to Five Illinois leaders say the ultimate goal is to normalize conversations about parenting challenges and early childhood mental health.

“Parenting is joyful, but it can also be exhausting and isolating,” Duden said. “The earlier we support children and families, the more likely we are to prevent bigger challenges later.”

Families interested in learning more, joining a council or sharing their experiences can find information through the Birth to Five Illinois website and regional social media pages.

For more information, contact Birth to Five Illinois at 773-739-2107 or info@birthtofiveil.com.