In a newly released Fact Sheet, the Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health (OCMH) calls for more attention to boys’ mental health.
American society stigmatizes talking about male mental health. Boys are discouraged from identifying and sharing their feelings. The pressure to meet these unhealthy expectations can be overwhelming and puts boys and young men at a distinct disadvantage when facing stressful situations and managing relationships.
Indeed, young men are struggling. The data trends for Wisconsin boys show that rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thinking among high school boys have all increased. The increase in suicidal thinking is especially alarming because boys and young men are two to four times as likely to die by suicide compared to young females.
Living in a rapidly changing world has left many boys and young men searching for their purpose, identity, and community. More than a quarter (28%) of young men say they have zero close friends. Some find community online where negative role models, ideologies, and messages abound. Teen boys are particularly susceptible to online sextortion. In fact, 90% of sextortion victims are teen boys between the ages of 14 and 17.
“We live in a country where 80% of suicide deaths are male, so we have to do better for our boys when they are boys since poor and untreated mental health in adolescence can lead to more serious problems in adulthood”, said Linda Hall the director of OCMH. “And, we must do this while also supporting girls’ mental health.”
Teaching healthy coping, social, relationship and conflict resolution skills can be highly effective in managing anger and reducing aggression, as well as improving overall well-being. When these skills are modeled for boys – especially when modeled by adult males – it can be particularly impactful.
“We can’t forget how important daily interactions and relationships with friends, family, and mentors are – this is what keeps kids socially connected, and every one of us can play a role. Research clearly shows that social connectedness is the foundation of good mental health,” Hall emphasized.
The Fact Sheet includes tailored recommendations on what parents, policymakers, providers, schools and communities can do to improve boys’ mental health.
See previous fact sheets.
