Maryland Governor Calls for Investment in Young Men’s Mental Health to Combat Rising Suicide and Loneliness

Maryland Governor Wes Moore wrote an opinion urging states to shift how they address young men’s mental health, arguing they should be seen as people to invest in rather than problems to fix.

He notes that male suicide in Maryland is four times higher than for women and that nationwide youth male suicide has risen by more than a third since 2010, reflecting growing loneliness and disengagement from school and work.

Moore says his administration’s philosophy is to leave no one behind, regardless of gender, and calls for state leadership to combat the rising “deaths of despair” among young men.

He emphasizes that improving mental health opportunities for boys and young men is essential for unlocking the full potential of Maryland’s residents and the broader American population.