Taylor & Francis Group Jun 13 2026 As more than 40% of American teenagers report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a leading child psychologist says grandparents and extended family have a vital role to play. Kenneth Barish, Ph.D., Clinical Professor of Psychology at Weill Cornell Medicine, argues that the erosion of extended family support has contributed to what the U.S. Surgeon General calls a prolonged crisis in child and adolescent mental health. We did not evolve to raise