Humana Foundation Report Exposes Epidemic of Loneliness Among Underserved Boys

Drawing on national data, the report reveals that boys are less likely to be diagnosed with depression, yet more likely to die by suicide. While youth suicide rates have declined overall, disparities persist for boys from underserved racial and ethnic groups and those with differing intellectual or physical abilities.

The report also lifts up key insights from Humana Foundation partners who work directly with underserved boys and features stories from two young men who share their journey to improve their mental health. The report underscores the profound relationship between belonging, emotional health and long-term resilience.

“Loneliness is a public health concern that affects how boys learn, connect and thrive,” said Danielle Neveles-McGrath, Chief Impact Officer of the Humana Foundation and co-author of the report. “Our findings show that by fostering mentorship, emotional safety and community connection, we can help boys develop stronger senses of purpose and belonging that serve as protective factors through adolescence and adulthood.”

Boys tend to express emotional distress through externalizing behaviors like aggression, substance use or risk-taking, necessitating a critical need to re-evaluate how boys’ mental health is approached, diagnosed and treated. As clinical experts share, belonging is a protective factor to support the emotional health of boys. The Humana Foundation report identifies five key actions to consider:

• Strategic communications and educational campaigns that normalize boys talking about their mental health and seeking help.
• Community-rooted outreach models such as programs that build long-lasting relationships with family, trusted messengers and community institutions.
• Sustaining and scaling mentorship initiatives, including peer buddy programs and programs that incentivize men to serve as mentors for boys.
• Peer mental health programs where boys feel safe to talk about mental health challenges, such as group therapy and mental health first aid training.
• More research to understand diagnosis gaps, develop culturally relevant and inclusive screening tools, evaluate best practice interventions and explore further loneliness among underserved boys.

Tiffany Benjamin, CEO of the Humana Foundation, commented, “This report is a call to act early to help boys feel seen, supported, and connected in ways that build healthier, more equitable futures.”

To read the full report, click here.

About the Humana Foundation

The Humana Foundation was established in 1981 as the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. and is focused on health equity, working to eliminate unjust, avoidable, and unnecessary barriers in health and healthcare. The Foundation fosters evidence-based collaborations and investments that help people in underserved communities live connected, healthy lives. As a steward of good health, the Foundation creates healthy emotional connections for people and communities and is shaping a healthier approach to nutrition to support lifelong well-being. For more information, visit humanafoundation.org.

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