The following is excerpted from an online article posted by Parents
In time for Mental Health Awareness Month, Crisis Text Line released its first report focused specifically on boys and men.
“Boys and men are in crisis,” says Dr. Costigan. “In the U.S., around 100 men die by suicide every day at a rate nearly four times that of women, a toll that outpaces other wealthy nations. And yet they are far less likely to seek help, representing fewer than 20% of Crisis Text Line texters.”
The research did find an encouraging signal. “The proportion of boys and men reaching out to Crisis Text Line has been growing year over year, which tells us that awareness is building,” explains Dr. Costigan. “The gap is still significant, but it is moving in the right direction.”
The statistics are unsettling, but there are ways for caregivers to offer support. Dr. Costigan encourages parents to start early.
“Building emotional literacy, communication skills, and healthy coping strategies at a young age can fundamentally shift long-term outcomes,” she shares. “That also means shifting the norms and expectations we set for boys around feeling and expressing emotions, so that boys learn it is acceptable to express emotion and seek support.”
Source: Parents
https://www.parents.com/young-boys-reporting-suicidal-thoughts-11973072