At least, according to this study:
A Childhood Experience May Lower Mental Health Risk by 11%, New Research Finds
What kinds of experiences?
They assessed 10 types of positive childhood experiences between ages 0 and 17, including supportive relationships with parents or teachers, feeling safe in the neighborhood, enjoying school, having close friends, and spending time with family and friends.
What this points out is not necessarily that these kinds of experiences can prevent mental health issues, but that they can provide the kind of environment where children learn the coping skills that can prevent conditions from worsening. Adults in their 20s with a stable background, versus those who have to navigate the adult world without the skills they might have gained from these experiences, are more likely to get worse.
The challenge is making sure all kids have the opportunity to have these experiences.
I think it’s obvious that kids growing up in poverty don’t feel safe in their neighborhood and may not have parents who are around to support them as much; kids in abusive homes, kids in war-torn countries, kids with addicted parents, kids in crappy schools, etc., don’t have the same positive experiences that other kids do. How do we fix those issues so kids can have a more positive childhood experience/