SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A recent Gallup poll reveals that 1 in 4 men under age 35 are struggling with loneliness — a factor experts said is fueling a growing mental health crisis.
What You Need To Know
One in 4 young men struggles with loneliness
Men make up nearly 80% of the suicide deaths in the U.S.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order focused on addressing some challenges affecting young men’s mental health
The executive order does not come with any new state funding
Suicide rates among young men are now four times higher than those of young women, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
In response, Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order aimed at addressing the alarming trend.
“Too many young men and boys are suffering in silence — disconnected from community, opportunity and even their own families. This action is about turning that around. It’s about showing every young man that he matters and there’s a path for him of purpose, dignity, work and real connection,” said Newsom.
The directive instructs state agencies to expand access to mental health services, workforce opportunities, and mentoring programs that foster social connection.
“Our boys, our men need help…and there’s strength in vulnerability,” said Marlon Morgan, CEO of Wellness Together, a nonprofit that works to increase access to mental health services for students. “These are some strong, effective leaders that are saying these things.”
Morgan said many young men are facing what he calls a crisis of identity and meaning; issues that have been amplified by technology and social isolation.
“A person on their own, without those deep relationships, is immediately affected in terms of mental health. It’s isolating. It’s a recipe for depression,” he said.
While advocates like Morgan welcome Newsom’s executive order, others indicated that the initiative comes without new funding.
“We’re just adding a new slice to the pie when we add this focus on men and boys… and if you add another slice to a pie, everyone just gets less pie,” said Karen Vicari of Mental Health America of California.
The conversation around young men’s mental health has also taken on a political dimension.
On a recent episode of Newsom’s podcast, Richard Reeves, president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, said Democrats have not done enough to engage with this demographic.
“The Republicans did a better job at signaling to young men: we like you, we like the stuff you like, and we’re going to go to the places you go, like the podcasts,” Reeves said.
Exit polls from the last election showed roughly 56% of young men voted for former President Donald Trump, compared to 40% of young women.
Newsom said his executive order gives young men support through education, jobs and meaningful connections — steps he believes are essential to reversing troubling mental health trends.