Why grandparents matter more than ever for children's mental health

Article excerpt

As youth mental health crises deepen, a child psychologist argues that grandparents occupy an underestimated role in children's emotional development. Beyond academic pressure, young people need supportive relationships, meaningful conversations, and a sense of purpose, ingredients grandparents are uniquely positioned to provide. By listening without judgment, encouraging exploration, and creating positive shared experiences, grandparents can strengthen the emotional resilience that clinical interventions alone cannot build. The argument challenges the assumption that parental involvement and professional treatment are sufficient buffers against rising rates of anxiety and depression in children.