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
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.
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.
Male Suicide: Patterns and Recent Trends
A look at male suicide patterns by age, race, geography and over time.
Washington State Fact Sheet
A fact sheet on the challenges boys and men face in Washington State
commentary Mental Health
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.
We must pay more attention to young men
The growing political gap between Gen Z men and women does not bode well...
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.
To Save Democracy, Help Men
Read about the link between why we should help men, political extremism, and threats to democracy.
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.
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 Many have withdrawn from the real world, where they could develop the skills needed to become competent, successful, and loving men.
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.
The math gap that’s not what you think it is
Plus: discussing loneliness with the Surgeon General and a landmark essay on masculinity
Some news I can’t wait to share: AIBM
Why I'm founding the American Institute for Boys and Men
The fragile beauty of male friendship
The friendship recession is hitting young men the hardest
Into the vacuum demons pour
Why neglecting male issues is bad for our culture and politics
Commentary
Why I’m increasingly worried about boys, too