I have had an idea brewing for a while and it seems so very clear to me these days. Mental health advocacy is at the top of my list of life purposes. I have a very soft spot for children’s mental health, believing we as a country and world need to do a better job at raising emotionally intelligent and aware human beings.

This is not an easy feat. We as adults already have a wealth of trauma and learned behaviors that hinder our ability to maintain emotional intelligence or mental awareness. But as I see it, we must start somewhere. When education systems are failing, we start at the beginning and look at the younger grades to see how we can prevent it becoming an issue later in school years.

I think we must do the same with mental health. When I was pregnant with my first child and nearing the end of term, I was barraged with questions from my OBGYN, family, and online mother support groups. These all focused on the physical health of my child. Who would be the pediatrician on record? Would he/she be able to make a visit in the hospital prior to discharge? I was informed of the 2-day, 2-week, and 6-week well child checks and how they are all preventative healthcare visits, covered 100% by insurance.

We are vigilant to care for all the externally noticed issues relating to proper eating, sleeping, and physical immune system. But we have missed a critical organ, the brain.

So this is where my idea comes in. I feel at the same frequency, a child should have a “mental health general physician” designated at birth, just like their pediatrician.

Prior to the child’s ability to talk, the MHGP would establish a mental health medical history with the parents. Screening would be performed for post partum disorders of both parents, and referrals made if needed. As often as a well check pediatrician appointment is made, a mental well check appointment would be made.

As the child reaches speaking age, the mental well check would be more inclusive of the child in the form of play therapy along with input from parents. Records would be kept. Issues would be addressed. Once a year, the child would meet their MHGP for an hour of therapy as preventative medicine.

When the child approaches adolescence and adulthood, a recommendation to a MHGP who specializes in an older age range would be made. Records would transfer and care would be continued with one visit each year considered preventative care. Additional sessions could be scheduled through this established physician/therapist if the need arises.

It is long past due for mental healthcare to be equal to physical healthcare in the insurance world. When we are always looking back at tragic events wondering how to prevent it, why do we not consider the possibility of “preventative” mental healthcare. And treat it the same as physical care and cover preventative care 100%.

Therapy is not just to fix the past. It is to educate the patient on proper coping mechanisms and emotional awareness. Just like a medical doctor should see you when you are well and when you are sick.

So, maybe this is the change we fight for. Maybe we can all agree to start at the beginning and provide the next generation the tools and support they need and 20 years from now, we won’t miss the signs of imminent tragedy.