Parents can easily identify their child's physical needs: nutritious food, warm clothes when it's cold, bedtime at a reasonable hour, exercise and a healthy living environment. However, a child's mental and emotional needs may not be as obvious. Good mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially and learn new skills. The essential qualities needed for a child to have good mental health include (Mental Health America):

• Unconditional love from family;
• Self-confidence and high self-esteem;
• The opportunity to play with other children;
• Encouraging teachers and supportive caretakers;
• Safe and secure surroundings; and,
• Appropriate guidance and discipline.

Many afterschool programs serve children from low-performing, high poverty schools. Children in afterschool programs may come from homes where mental health problems such as conflict between parents or violence in the home are common. These stressors may cause children to misbehave and 'act-up' in class. According to a 2007 study by the University of Rochester, these children are also more prone to sickness than children under less stress. Stressful conditions include conflict in the household, parental anxiety and depression, parental poverty and unemployment, and violence in the home or neighborhood. (Dr. Mary Caserta, University of Rochester Medical Center, 2007)

• Decline in school performance;
• Poor grades despite strong efforts;
• Regular worry or anxiety;
• Repeated refusal to go to school or take part in normal children's activities;
• Hyperactivity or fidgeting;
• Persistent nightmares;
• Persistent disobedience or aggression;
• Frequent temper tantrums; and,
• Depression, sadness or irritability.