American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Healthy Mental Development
Healthy Mental Development (HMD) is an evidence-based framework for promoting and supporting social, emotional, and behavioral wellness of the whole child across the lifespan using a relational health and trauma-informed care lens. The AAP is committed to promoting HMD as a key component of infant, child, adolescent, and family health. HMD reframes the way that we think and talk about mental health: mental health is not only a diagnosis or an illness to be treated. HMD is a lifelong process impacted by biology, relationships, and environment, and therefore includes promotion and prevention aspects. The HMD of children and caregivers are inherently linked, and strong relationships can promote positive mental outcomes for children and families, leading to happy and successful lives.