A mental health crisis affects youth and young adults, particularly Black and brown men, who face unique pressures. Youth aged 10-24 represent 21% of California's population but are responsible for 57% of emergency self-harm visits. Conversations about men's mental health often become distorted, emphasizing violence rather than vulnerability. Encouraging emotional literacy in schools and creating culturally appropriate healing spaces are essential for effective mental health interventions. It is crucial to foster environments that prioritize safety, emotional tools, and the capacity to process grief constructively.
In California, youth and young adults ages 10 to 24 make up just 21% of the population yet they account for 57% of all emergency room visits due to self-harm.
What we call masculinity in America is often just unprocessed grief in a fitted cap.
Through my work with young people across California, I've seen what happens when we offer real space to feel. I've watched boys start to breathe when they realize emotions are not liabilities but signals.
Healing requires more than hashtags. It requires safety. It requires tools. And it requires the cultural permission to pause.
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