The Hidden Epidemic: Untreated Depression Among Young Boys and Teenage Men

There is a growing concern among mental health specialists that depression among young and teenage boys is going unnoticed and untreated. A recent study has shown that there has been a significant decrease in boys seeking mental health care, which could be due to several factors.

One of the reasons why boys struggle to express their emotions openly is because they may feel pressure from societal expectations or self-imposed pressure. According to family therapist Jay Barnett, young boys tend to internalize their emotions, which can lead to outward symptoms such as aggressive behavior, irritability, and a short temper. This lack of constructive models for emotional expression could contribute to this issue.

Research published in the Journal of Pediatrics revealed that while antidepressant use has increased significantly among teenage girls and women in their 20s, it has declined sharply among young men in 2020 and has not recovered. This trend raises concerns about the future mental health of these young men as they age.

Experts fear that a generation of young males may struggle to regulate their emotions, leading to heightened aggression and dismissiveness. Without the necessary tools to cope with their feelings, these young men may face challenges in managing their mental health and relationships in the future. It is crucial for parents, teachers, coaches, and other adults to recognize the signs of depression among young boys and encourage them to seek help if needed.