Equimundo Reaction to Governor Newsom’s Executive Order to Support Young Men and Boys’ Mental Health

Equimundo Reaction to Governor Newsom’s Executive Order to Support Young Men and Boys’ Mental Health

August 5, 2025, Washington, DC  

Gary Barker, CEO and Founder, Equimundo:

“Governor Newsom’s Executive Order is a vital step in the right direction, placing long-overdue attention on the mental health of men and boys, especially around the issues of social connection, loneliness, and emotional well-being. We applaud the Governor’s leadership – and that of other states pursuing similar action – in helping to reframe how we engage young men in conversations that are often overlooked or ignored.

“At Equimundo, our research – including findings from our national survey, State of American Men 2025, and years of dialogue with young men across the U.S. – makes one thing clear: it’s not simply about awareness or access to programs. Many young men know where to find job training or mental health resources. What keeps them from showing up is a deeper need – to feel seen, to trust that someone has their back, and to believe that they matter.

“This is especially true for young men who are out of school, out of work, and disconnected. A staggering 53 percent report feeling invisible. Nearly three-quarters say no one cares whether men are okay. For many, the world feels like it’s not built for them. That disconnect feeds disengagement and compounds the mental health crisis. And when young men do seek help, they too often encounter systems that don’t reflect or understand their lived experiences.

“Importantly, this is not a zero-sum conversation. We echo the First Partner’s remarks that young women face many of these same challenges – and we believe that meaningful, inclusive mental health solutions must reach all youth, regardless of gender.

“Governor Newsom’s order can be a breakthrough moment. But policies alone won’t be enough. If we want programs to work, we need to start by building trust – and that means doing the harder work of listening to young men, understanding their language, and meeting them with humanity. It means designing outreach and services that feel real, personal, and respectful of who they are and what they need.

“This crisis of connection won’t be solved by legislation alone. But with this Executive Order, we have an opportunity to move forward – toward healing, toward trust, and toward a more connected future for all our youth.”