When we talk about mental health, too often the conversation begins after a crisis has occurred.

A child struggles in silence, a family reaches a breaking point, a community mourns a loss that might have been prevented.

We ask what could have been done differently, but rarely do we focus enough on what can be done sooner.

The truth is that early intervention in mental and behavioral health has the potential to dramatically change lives. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14, and 75% by age 24.

Yet, research shows that on average, there is an 11-year delay between the onset of symptoms and the start of treatment. These are years when children and adolescents are navigating critical periods of emotional, cognitive and social development. Left unaddressed, emerging challenges can compound, often becoming far more difficult to resolve later in life.

It is why we need to shift our focus. Instead of reacting to crises, we must proactively create environments where conversations about mental wellness begin early, feel natural and are reinforced regularly. Mental health education should not be reserved for moments of intervention. It should be embedded into the daily lives of our children, much like how we teach nutrition, exercise, and safety.

In communities across Pennsylvania, we have seen the powerful impact of starting these conversations early through Aetna Better Health Kids’ Wellness on Wheels Movie Watch Parties.

These events blend entertainment with education, providing children and families with a safe, supportive space to explore emotions, develop coping skills and build emotional resilience. Whether watching films like “Inside Out 2,” engaging in interactive discussions, or participating in hands-on activities, children are learning not only how to recognize their feelings but how to talk about them. In many cases, it is the first time they have been given language to describe their own experiences.

“Inside Out 2” was selected for these events precisely because of its creative and compassionate portrayal of emotions, particularly the introduction of anxiety.

Through animated storytelling, the movie helps children (and adults) understand how new emotions emerge, interact, and shape our behaviors.

This makes it a powerful catalyst for conversation, especially for parents and caregivers seeking to better understand and support their children’s emotional world.

Each child who attends leaves with a behavioral health journal, which is a tool designed to help them continue the conversation at home. These journals are more than just blank pages; they include prompts to help children name their emotions, reflect on their feelings and practice self-regulation. For caregivers, they open a window into their child’s inner world, creating an opportunity for connection and understanding.

As a mom, I know how to treat a cold or fever in my children. But understanding how to recognize signs of anxiety, and then knowing how to effectively help them navigate their behavioral health care needs, was completely foreign to me. I didn’t have the tools to manage their emotional fragility, and I was afraid that without adequate training or resources, I wouldn’t be able to give them the care they needed.

That is why I created these resources: to make these, at times complex, deeply emotional and very real situations, easier to navigate as a community. When we learn how to normalize these discussions and preemptively prepare, we drive better overall health and wellness.

In just the last year, AWoW Movie Watch Parties have engaged nearly 1,500 children and family members across Pennsylvania, distributing more than 1,400 behavioral health journals and thousands of healthy snacks and resources. From Harrisburg to Erie to Philadelphia, the feedback from school counselors, parents and community leaders has been overwhelmingly positive.

One caregiver shared, “This event gave me the words I didn’t have before. I now feel more confident in helping my child talk about what they’re feeling instead of brushing it off or not knowing what to say.”

Another said, “We’ve been using the journal every night before bed. It’s become our way of checking in with each other, and I think it’s helping us both.”

These are not isolated outcomes. They reflect a growing body of evidence that shows early exposure to social-emotional learning improves academic outcomes, reduces behavioral problems and strengthens long-term mental health. A study published in Child Development found that students who participated in social-emotional learning programs saw an 11-percentile-point gain in academic achievement compared to peers who did not. When we invest early, the dividends reach far beyond the classroom.

Of course, programs like AWoW are just one piece of a much larger puzzle. The need is great and growing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that in the years following the pandemic, more than 1 in 3 high school students experienced poor mental health, and nearly half felt persistently sad or hopeless. Our children are telling us, in numbers too large to ignore, that they need our help.

This cannot be the responsibility of any one sector. Schools, health care providers, nonprofit organizations, government leaders and businesses all have a role to play. As employers, we can create family-friendly workplaces that support parents in caring for their children’s mental health. As legislators, we can champion policies that expand access to early intervention and community-based resources. As health care organizations, we can innovate new ways to meet families where they are. And as neighbors, we can foster a culture that normalizes asking for help and prioritizes emotional well-being.

While early intervention is essential, we must also ensure immediate help is available when a crisis strikes. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a free, confidential resource that connects individuals with trained counselors 24/7, because no one should have to navigate a mental health emergency alone.

Mental health is not a single conversation. It is many small conversations, started early, sustained over time and supported by an entire community that recognizes the lifelong value of emotional wellness. If we are willing to invest in those moments today, we will build stronger, healthier generations for years to come.

The opportunity is before us. Now is the time to act.

Paula Starnes, MHA, is a health care executive with Aetna Better Health, a CVS Health company. She leads community engagement initiatives across Pennsylvania, focusing on children’s behavioral health and wellness. With a background in health administration, Starnes is dedicated to fostering partnerships that support early intervention and promote mental well-being for families statewide.