Apter G et al. – This study highlights recent publications on offspring of patients with psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and mood disorders. Findings from few studies revealed that offspring of parents (generally mothers) with major psychiatric disorders are at a higher risk of developing mental disorders. Infant and child psychiatry, as well as developmental psychopathology, have focused on pathways such as early relationship formation through social interaction and patterns of attachment affected by factors such as vulnerability or resilience. Longitudinal studies on mothers and infants have shown that maternal psychopathology during the first year of life is positively correlated with higher risk of attachment issues. To stay ahead, psychiatry should embrace a developmental cascade model, suggesting a cumulative pathway for the emergence of psychopathology in the developing child. Sufficient knowledge exists to implement multilevel approaches to enhance the health and mental health of the next generation.