More than 62,000 Arizona grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren.It’s a number that continues to grow. Now, a new report shows the emotional toll it can take on both grandparents and the kids they raise.
Donna Butts is the executive director of Generations United, which advocates for policies and programs that support grandfamilies.
"So each year, we take a deep dive into a topic that's either emerging or one that hasn't been touched on yet. So this year, the focus was on mental health and trauma," Butts said.
And Butts says these families are more likely to have experienced trauma.
Grandfamilies are often formed suddenly. A parent could be incarcerated, struggling with substance-use disorder, or passed away. So, that child is sent to live with a grandparent.
"There's that sense of loss and having lost that ability to be a retired older adult, or the ability to, you know, spend the holidays with your mom and dad. So there's a lot of loss," Butts says.
The study shows these families may experience higher rates of depression, anxiety or feelings of stress.
