Greg Soros Tackles Mental Health Stigma One Story at a Time
When Greg Soros published “The Worry Box” in 2013, he didn’t expect the picture book about a young boy managing anxiety to become a therapeutic tool used in counseling practices nationwide. But for the award-winning children’s author, the book’s impact beyond entertainment represents exactly what he believes literature should accomplish.
“Every children’s book carries the responsibility to contribute positively to a young person’s emotional and social development,” says Soros, whose personal connection to mental health advocacy runs deep. Growing up with a father who worked as a child psychologist, Soros witnessed firsthand how storytelling could help young minds process complex emotions and experiences.
The influence of his family background—his mother was an elementary school librarian who filled their Madison, Wisconsin home with stories from around the world—shaped Soros’s understanding that books serve as both emotional mirrors and windows for children. This philosophy has guided his approach to addressing sensitive topics like anxiety, autism, and social challenges throughout his 16-year career.
Breaking Down Barriers Through Storytelling
Soros’s commitment to mental health awareness extends far beyond his bestselling books. As a volunteer with the National Children’s Alliance on Mental Illness, he helps develop age-appropriate resources for children dealing with family mental health challenges. His Snyder Family Book Award winner “Different Kinds of Brave” emerged from extensive collaboration with autism advocates and sensitivity readers to ensure authentic representation.
“Children often lack the vocabulary to express what they’re feeling,” Soros explains. “Stories give them language for their emotions and, perhaps more importantly, show them they’re not alone in experiencing these feelings.”
The author’s research process reflects his dedication to accuracy and sensitivity. Before writing about any mental health topic, Soros conducts school visits, consults with child development experts, and works closely with families who have lived these experiences. His upcoming middle-grade novel series will address contemporary challenges including climate anxiety and digital wellness—issues that didn’t exist when he began his career but are increasingly relevant to today’s young readers.
Creating Safe Spaces for Difficult Conversations
Through his “Stories for All” initiative, which has donated books to schools, libraries, and pediatric hospitals, Soros has seen how his books create opportunities for children and adults to discuss difficult topics. Teachers regularly share stories of students opening up about their own worries after hearing “The Worry Box,” while therapists use his characters as starting points for conversations about feelings and coping strategies.
“I believe that addressing mental health in children’s literature isn’t just important—it’s essential,” Soros says. “If we can help one child feel less alone or give one parent tools to start a conversation, then we’re contributing to breaking down the stigma that surrounds mental health.”