SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Governor Gavin Newsom signed a handful of new legislation in California on Wednesday including an executive order focused on suicide prevention and mental health.
Young men and boys often suffer from mental health issues and a growing stigma keeps them from getting the help they need, experts say.
Now, California is battling this silent suffering of young men and boys throughout the Golden State.
The executive order directs a statewide response to improve mental health for this part of the population and reduce the stigma attached to it.
If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text the new three-digit code at 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.
Gov. Newsom said in a statement that this action is, “about showing every young man that he matters and there’s a path for him of purpose, dignity, work, and real connection.”
“I think we have, over the last several years, paid a lot of attention to girls and girls mental health,” Children’s Health Council Clinical Director Dr. Pardis Khosravi said. “And while that’s great, I think sometimes what’s lost in that shuffle is what boys and young men are going through and other folks along the gender spectrum.”
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Mental health experts are on alert after a recent rise in suicides and a feeling of disconnection among young men and boys because they say, they are less likely to ask for help until they’re in crisis.
The order strengthens mental health support through the California Health and Human Services Agency, addressing California’s crisis of loneliness in young men and offers pathways to work, education and support.
“The executive order recognizes that we need a whole person approach, not just treating mental illness, but also investing in belonging, opportunity and prevention,” National Alliance on Mental Illness Santa Clara Exec. Director Rovina Nimbalkar said.
Khosravi says aspects like recruiting more male role models in teachers and school counselors, and promoting boys and men to participate in service makes this plan primed for success.
“I really appreciate the focus and the executive order, not just on, you know, the service delivery itself, which is really important and looking at the data we have to identify gender disparities in the service we’re providing, but also what else are we doing?” Khosravi said.
Governor Newsom said it best: too many young men and boys are suffering and disconnected – this action is about turning that around.
You can read the full executive order here.
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