It’s supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but is it? Emotions are more intense during the holidays than at other times throughout the year, and celebrating with family and friends brings about a diverse range of feelings. While many people experience joy and happiness during the holiday season, others experience a completely different set of emotions including stress, sadness, depression, loneliness, and fatigue.

Pediatricians have an important role in the entire health of children, including their mental well-being. Because there is a shortage of behavioral and mental health specialists in many areas, pediatricians must be well-equipped to treat mental health problems when referrals are not readily available.

When infants and babies feel secure in their relationships with their closest caregivers, it provides a positive impact on their overall mental health. Ensuring pediatric practices meet these needs can help infants and young children grow into healthy and well-adjusted adults.

Many of us have experienced trauma over the last few years as we’ve been forced to deal with the fallout from the pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, social unrest, and a dire economic outlook. Unfortunately, the youngest among us have not been immune to the trauma either.