SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Governor Gavin Newsom has initiated a new executive order designed to provide support for men and boys, enhancing their mental health care in an effort to reduce suicide rates among young men. This order is a decisive step towards connecting amidst widespread feelings of isolation.
The directive instructs the state’s Health and Human Services Agency to identify strategies that address the troubling suicide rates among young men, assisting them in accessing services aimed at bolstering their mental health and well-being. Moreover, it calls for the establishment of educational and career pathways for these individuals.
“Too many young men and boys are suffering in silence — disconnected from community, opportunity, and even their own families,” Newsom remarked in a statement. Emphasizing the initiative’s core mission, he expressed, “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.”
The focus on this issue has gained momentum among Democrats following previous election observations, where a notable shift was seen as many young men leaned towards former President Donald Trump. In the past, Trump’s campaign narrative resonated with many who felt marginalized by the national economic and political climate. This shift was captured in surveys, which showed over half of men under 30 supported Trump, a demographic that had previously leaned towards Democrat Joe Biden.
Gavin Newsom, who is being speculated as a 2028 presidential contender, has actively discussed the support for men and boys on his podcast. With a majority of his guests being males, including political figures and authors, his series often explores the importance of addressing this demographic’s issues.
Recently, Newsom featured Richard Reeves on his podcast. Reeves is a notable advocate, serving as founder and president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, which is committed to researching and addressing men’s welfare issues. Newsom, in this episode, underlined the necessity of addressing men’s needs beyond political ramifications.
“If you tune into the podcast, you may have noticed a theme — a theme that continues to emerge around men and boys,” said Newsom. “What is going on with our men and boys? Increasingly isolated, increasingly feeling disengaged, disconnected, depressed.”
The order outlined by Newsom encourages greater male participation in community service through volunteer programs, and aims to support male students in pursuing careers in teaching and counseling. State entities are further tasked with recommending methods to increase young men’s engagement in state-supplied career education and training programs. Updates on these efforts are expected within two months.
Karen Vicari, Director of Public Policy at Mental Health America of California, affirmed the importance of the initiative, although she expressed concerns regarding the underfunding and workforce shortages within the mental health care system.
Meanwhile, Pete Weldy, CEO of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, highlighted the critical timing of the order. “As the federal government slashes suicide prevention funding and undermines programs that reduce disparities, we stand by the Governor and are proud the State is devoting resources to address the urgent mental health needs of young men, boys, and kids,” he declared.
The urgency of this initiative has been underscored by recent developments, including the Trump administration’s decision to discontinue a hotline that offered specific support options for LGBTQ+ young individuals.
Statistically, men represent about half of the U.S. population, yet account for a staggering 80% of suicide cases, with a male suicide mortality rate of 22.7 per 100,000 in 2023. This figure is notably four times higher than the rate for women and girls. Despite this concerning national trend, California maintains one of the lowest suicide rates across the country, marking a suicide mortality rate of approximately 10.2, compared to 14.1 nationally.
Editor’s Note: If discussing suicide brings concerns for you or someone you know, the national suicide and crisis lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988.