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.
— Governor Gavin Newsom
Young men feel increasingly depressed, disconnected, and hopeless. Men have higher rates of physical illness and lower participation in the workforce than women and are more likely to report they have no close friends. Isolation, loneliness, and poor employment prospects are leading to increases in mental health issues and substance use. Men account for nearly 80 percent of all suicides.
Young men are 3X more likely to die by suicide than young women.1
Young men die of overdose at 2X – 3X the rate of women.2
Depression is the leading cause of death in young men.3
The California 988 Network is here to help. California is making a state-wide effort to reduce mental health stigma, strengthen mental health supports, and create pathways for work and education for men and boys. Visit the resources below for mental health, job training, financial, and other supports.
Men and Boys Resources
#Out4MentalHealth
#Out4MentalHealth is a statewide project that advances mental health equity, provides resources to build capacity in local LGBTQ+ communities, and represents a coalition voice at state-level policy discussions.
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Boys / Men, LGBTQ+ / Allies
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Boys / Men, Youth
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988 Lifeline LGBTQI+
988 lifeline including call, text, and chat and videophone options for the deaf/hearing impaired. Resources for members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies.
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Boys / Men, LGBTQ+ / Allies
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Boys / Men, Youth
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Asian / Pacific Islander, Boys / Men
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Boys / Men, Hispanic / Latino
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Asian / Pacific Islander, Boys / Men
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American Institute for Boys and Men
Research-based initiatives promoting mental health awareness, policy, and well-being for boys and men nationwide.
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Boys / Men, Youth
Black Men Heal – King’s Corner
Virtual safe space offering free group therapy, healing, and dialogue for Black men’s mental health.
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Black, Boys / Men
BrightLife Kids
BrightLife Kids provides virtual behavioral health coaching, care navigation and 24/7 on-demand digital resources for California families with children ages 0-12 at no cost. No insurance or referrals required.
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Autistic/Neurodivergent, Boys / Men, Hispanic / Latino, LGBTQ+ / Allies, Parents/Guardians, Uninsured, Youth
CA Mental Health for All
Building a stronger and more equitable behavioral health system so every Californian can access high-quality mental health and substance use disorder treatment when and where they need it.
Resources for:
Boys / Men
CalHOPE Warm Line
California Peer Run Warm Line, a confidential, free non-crisis support service provided by the Mental Health Association of San Francisco for anyone in the state experiencing challenges like anxiety, depression,...
Resources for:
Boys / Men, LGBTQ+ / Allies
California Jobs First
Driving sustainable economic growth, innovation, and access to good-paying jobs.
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Boys / Men
California Volunteers
Engaging Californians in service, volunteering, and civic action.
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Boys / Men
Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative
Reimagining the way California supports children, youth, and family behavioral health.
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Boys / Men
Hope: A Guide for Faith Leaders to Help Prevent Youth Suicide
This guide provides faith leaders with guidance for helping youth at risk for suicide. It is a resource to help increase awareness and build capacity to serve at-risk youth.
How to talk to your patients about firearm safety
Encourages providers to ensure that they are familiar with firearm culture and training.
It Gets Better
A global nonprofit sharing LGBTQI+ stories, resources, and support, offering hope and community while empowering youth and adults to see that life gets better.
LGBT National Help Center
Peer support lines for care before crisis including the LGBT National Hotline, LGBT National Coming Out Support Hotline, LGBT National Youth Talkine, and LGBT National Senior Hotline, and chat services.
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Boys / Men, LGBTQ+ / Allies
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LGBTQIA2-S+ Resources for Well-Being
Mental health services for LGBTQI+ Youth 25 and under in LA County and other LA County based resources including housing, primary care, sexual/reproductive health, and gender affirming treatment.
Lock2Live
Helps help-seekers make decisions about temporarily reducing access to potentially dangerous things like firearms, medicines, sharp objects, or other household items.
Man Therapy
A campaign blending relatable storytelling and practical tools to help men address depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts in an approachable way in rural areas.
Resources for:
Boys / Men
Mental Health Resources in the LGBTQ+ Community
Provides a list of available warm lines, crisis lines, and hotlines, many of which are staffed by people specifically trained to work with the LGBTQ+ community.
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Boys / Men, LGBTQ+ / Allies
NAMI Helpline – FAQ Page
FAQ list consisting of information and resources for men struggling with mental health issues.
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Boys / Men
PFLAG
The nation’s largest organization supporting LGBTQI+ people, families, and allies through peer support, education, and advocacy, with local California chapters offering inclusive community, resources, and safe spaces.
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Boys / Men, LGBTQ+ / Allies
Psychology Today
Searchable directory linking men with specialized peer and professional support groups addressing mental health, relationships, fatherhood, trauma, and life transitions.
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Boys / Men
Rainbow Connection Counseling Collective
Rainbow Connection Counseling provides online LGBTQ+, multicultural, therapy services.
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Boys / Men, LGBTQ+ / Allies
Soluna
Soluna is California’s free, state-funded mental health program for youth ages 13–25, designed to complement existing school and community-based services. It offers self-guided tools, a moderated peer community, one-to-one behavioral...
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Boys / Men, LGBTQ+ / Allies
The California Community Schools Partnership
Transforming schools into community hubs for education and mental and physical health.
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Boys / Men
The Confess Project of America
Empowers barbers, educators, community leaders and others as mental health advocates to break stigma and build culturally competent support for men and boys of color.
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Asian / Pacific Islander, Black, Boys / Men, Hispanic / Latino, Parents/Guardians, Tribal
The ManKind Project – USA
Nonprofit men’s network fostering accountability, emotional literacy, and authentic connection through training, peer circles, and long-term personal growth opportunities.
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Boys / Men
The Trevor Lifeline
The nationwide organization provides a 24-hour phone hotline, as well as limited-hour webchat and text options, for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.
Together for Wellness/Juntos por Nuestro Bienestar
Together for Wellness connects California youth to mental health support from people who’ve been there, whether it’s school, stress, or something deeper.
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Boys / Men, LGBTQ+ / Allies
Trans Family Support Services
TFSS guides transgender/non-binary youth and families through the gender transitioning process through family coaching, assistance with healthcare and insurance issues, help navigating the legal system, and support at schools.
Trans Lifeline
Community support and resources for trans people and a grassroots hotline offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis.
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Boys / Men, LGBTQ+ / Allies
Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line links Veterans to real people specially trained to help you through any challenge.
Citations
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Suicide Data and Statistics.
- Butelman, E.R., Huang, Y., Epstein, D.H. et al. Overdose mortality rates for opioids and stimulant drugs are substantially higher in men than in women: state-level analysis. Neuropsychopharmacol. 48, 1639–1647 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-023-01601-8
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Suicide Data and Statistics.
