Mental Health
Boys and men are increasingly lonely, and at higher risk of suicide and “deaths of despair”
Fifteen percent of young men today say they don’t have a close friend–a five-fold increase since 1990. This loneliness, combined with a range of societal changes and pressures, has resulted in a mental health crisis for American boys and men. Today, men are four times more likely than women to die by suicide but ten percentage points less likely than women to access mental health care.
Curated Content
Check out some of our mental health resources below
Research Mental Health
![Water color painting of father spending time with his kid Water color painting of father spending time with his kid](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/DALL·E-2024-06-11-16.33.36-A-landscape-watercolor-style-thumbnail-image-for-Fathers-Day.-The-scene-should-be-lively-and-heartwarming-using-the-specified-color-palette_-deep-te-e1718146466317.webp)
Dads Rock: The Evidence
The evidence is clear: Dads matter; they are doing more fathering than ever; they bring something extra to parenting; and they want to do more.
![A digital water color painting embodying men's health A digital water color painting embodying men's health](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/DALL·E-2024-04-29-15.12.37-A-full-page-landscape-watercolor-style-thumbnail-image-for-an-article-titled-Three-Ideas-to-Help-Boys-at-School.-The-image-should-display-a-diverse-04-e1717707151110.webp)
Six Facts on Men’s Health
Men face significant health challenges. Compared to women, men have a lower life expectancy, higher COVID-19 mortality rates, and are four times more likely to die by suicide. However, there are very few public health goals and covered preventive services for men.
![2024/01/Men_MentalHealth-e1706723035643.png 2024/01/Men_MentalHealth-e1706723035643.png](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Men_MentalHealth-e1706723035643.webp)
Where Are the Men? Male Representation in Social Work and Psychology
Men face a significant lack of representation in mental health professions despite the growing mental health needs among them.
![2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-04-at-11.58.34-PM.png 2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-04-at-11.58.34-PM.png](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-04-at-11.58.34-PM.webp)
Explore the data on male suicides by state
Explore the data on male suicides by state, broken out by age group, sourced from CDC data.
![A distressed male sitting on a bench with has hands cupping the back of his neck A distressed male sitting on a bench with has hands cupping the back of his neck](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/555c971a-1bb3-4ccd-b6bc-4ed3d5a91db2_5600x3856-e1699573549825.webp)
Male Suicide: Patterns and Recent Trends
A look at male suicide patterns by age, race, geography and over time.
![2023/11/1-1-e1699949128540.png 2023/11/1-1-e1699949128540.png](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1-1-e1699949128540.webp)
Washington State Fact Sheet
A fact sheet on the challenges boys and men face in Washington State
commentary Mental Health
Melinda French Gates invests in boys and men: a new era for gender equality
Melinda French Gates is investing in boys and men, showing that the gender equality movement has space for men and boys without sacrificing its focus on women and girls. AIBM President Richard Reeves has been selected to direct a portion of these investments.
![a black and white portrait picture of melinda french gates a black and white portrait picture of melinda french gates](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/melinda.webp)
Boys are suffering too. Here’s how we miss that.
Girls have been struggling with mental health, and we've rightly been alarmed. But we may be overlooking the issues of boys due to how we define and measure these constructs. Learn more from renowned psychologist Lisa Damour.
![A silhouette of a young boy and girl behind a group of people. A silhouette of a young boy and girl behind a group of people.](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/All-Commentary-Images-2.webp)
We must pay more attention to young men
The growing political gap between Gen Z men and women does not bode well...
![A man and a woman are starting at eachoter seperated against a white wall. A man and a woman are starting at eachoter seperated against a white wall.](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/9699d7f5-f5d3-4111-bd2f-0f5f3c64ad09_3019x2000.webp)
Gen Z’s Romance Gap: Why Nearly Half of Young Men Aren’t Dating
Until very recently, American culture has operated on the flawed notion that teenage dating and sex required little encouragement. Teenage romance was once seen as a natural part of American adolescence. This, it turns out, is completely wrong. Teenage dating is not inevitable and it’s a rapidly disappearing part of the American teenage experience.
![A depressed lonely young man A depressed lonely young man](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6.webp)
To Save Democracy, Help Men
Read about the link between why we should help men, political extremism, and threats to democracy.
![The U.S. capitol building in grey scale The U.S. capitol building in grey scale](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Untitled-design-15.webp)
Hey Coach! Our Boys Need You
Learn about the disciplines of freedom and the vital role coaches play in mentoring healthy masculinity for young boys.
![A coach is mentoring a young boy on bleachers A coach is mentoring a young boy on bleachers](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Untitled-design-12.webp)
Why I’m increasingly worried about boys, too
Boys are in trouble. Many have withdrawn from the real world, where they could develop the skills needed to become competent, successful, and loving men.
![a man and a boy sitting and chatting on a bench a man and a boy sitting and chatting on a bench](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1e37447a-eff4-449d-8b93-1ba677bd1f5f_938x535.webp)
Why Washington State should create a Commission on Boys and Men
Lawmakers in Washington State may be about to lead the nation by establishing a bipartisan Commission on Boys and Men.
![image of washington state containing educational themes image of washington state containing educational themes](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/WA_boys.webp)
The math gap that’s not what you think it is
Plus: discussing loneliness with the Surgeon General and a landmark essay on masculinity
![Boy in classroom Boy in classroom](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/math-gap-2.webp)
Some news I can’t wait to share: AIBM
Why I'm founding the American Institute for Boys and Men
![young boy running young boy running](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AdobeStock_71447556.webp)
The fragile beauty of male friendship
The friendship recession is hitting young men the hardest
![a group of three male friends posing for a picture in front of a cliffy landscape a group of three male friends posing for a picture in front of a cliffy landscape](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/three-friends.webp)
Into the vacuum demons pour
Why neglecting male issues is bad for our culture and politics
![six male demons congregating and looking into the distance six male demons congregating and looking into the distance](https://aibm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/cappellone.webp)
Commentary
Why I’m increasingly worried about boys, too