Mental health needs vary significantly across different stages of life, from childhood to old age. This book examines how mental health is understood, assessed, and treated at each life stage. It discusses developmental milestones, age-related risks, and common disorders relevant to children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Readers learn how early experiences, hormonal changes, life transitions, and cognitive decline influence mental well-being. Tailored interventions and preventive strategies are introduced, including school-based support, workplace mental health programs, and elder care services. The importance of family, peers, and social context is emphasized throughout. It serves students and practitioners aiming for age-specific mental health care.
Autumn Ray is a developmental psychologist whose work spans early childhood to late adulthood, with a focus on mental health continuity across life stages. She has contributed to numerous lifespan-focused mental health frameworks and has served as a consultant for age-specific mental health services. Her academic publications frequently address cognitive decline, adolescent resilience, and midlife stress adaptation. She also teaches advanced seminars on age-sensitive therapeutic approaches. Her primary research themes include developmental psychopathology, lifespan transitions, and mental health service planning across age groups.