Reading Saves Lives: How Books Build Mental Health in Children

A message to every parent wondering what more they can do to protect their child’s emotional well-being.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Reading saves lives.”
Let’s talk about why this is true.

As a therapist, author, and parent, I’ve seen it again and again:
Books open doors to healing, courage, and hope—especially for children who are struggling. Reading is a crucial component to developing a child’s hoping skills™.

In a world where kids are constantly navigating pressure, isolation, and confusion, stories provide more than just entertainment.
They provide lifelines.

Here’s how:

1. Books Help Kids Feel Seen

When a child reads about someone who looks like them, feels like them, or hurts like them, they suddenly realize:
“I’m not the only one.”
That moment of connection can be everything. It’s a mirror. And it tells them they’re not invisible.

2. Books Teach Emotional Skills

Through characters’ journeys, kids learn:

• How to name their feelings

• How to express big emotions in healthy ways

• How others overcome sadness, fear, loneliness, or bullying
  These stories gently model the kind of emotional intelligence we wish every school could teach.

3. Books Spark Conversations

Reading with your child gives you a natural, non-threatening way to talk about hard topics like grief, anxiety, bullying, and yes—even suicide.
A page in a book can open the door to a conversation they didn’t know how to start.

4. Books Build Empathy

Reading doesn’t just help a child understand themselves—it helps them understand others.
Empathy is one of the strongest protective factors for mental health. The more we raise compassionate kids, the safer and more supported all children become.

5. Books Offer Hope

Some books help us escape.
Others help us heal.
The best ones do both.

Books remind children that storms don’t last forever, that they are never alone, and that they have the power to change their story.

Final Thought for Parents:

You don’t have to have all the answers.
You don’t have to fix everything.
Sometimes, giving your child the right book at the right time is one of the greatest gifts you can offer.

So yes—reading saves lives. This is a completely accurate statement and the reason why we do what we do at Make A Way Media through the books we publish and also through the work of the K Club.
And it might just save the heart of someone you love. Comment below with some of the books that help give your children a dose of hope!