Charity calls for more attention on boys’ mental health

A leading mental health charity is calling on the community to ensure that boys and young men are feeling “heard and valued” amidst rising concerns about their social media usage.

Emma Dorman, Jami’s senior education coordinator, said: “The emotional struggles of boys – feelings of rejection, loneliness, and anger – often go unnoticed and unspoken, creating a vulnerability that can be exploited by harmful online communities.”

She said of particular concern was what is known as “the manosphere” – a network of websites and forums known for spreading misogynistic content.

“These online spaces, which are generally unregulated, can appear to offer connection and understanding, particularly for boys who feel misunderstood or isolated.”

Boys’ and young men’s mental health “remains largely under addressed”, said Dorman, adding: “It’s so important for us to ensure that boys feel heard and valued offline, and for adults to engage with young people’s digital lives with curiosity rather than judgement.”

Her comments follow the release of Netflix drama Adolescence, where a fictional story follows a seemingly ordinary 13-year old’s descent into a world of online misogyny and misinformation, which leads to a tragic act of violence.

The show prompted widespread concern among educators, parents, and mental health professionals about the impact of online content and triggered calls for increased vigilance around digital safety.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, which is running until May 18 and focuses on “community”, Jami, which is part of Jewish Care, is urging parents and caregivers to “ask themselves what communities their children are part of, both online and offline, and whether they feel genuinely seen and supported”.

“Online safety is crucial,” said Dorman, “but helping boys feel emotionally connected and part of a community is just as vital.”

In response to growing concerns about the emotional wellbeing of teenagers and pre-teens, Jami’s Dangoor Children and Young Person’s Service has expanded its mental health support to reach young people at Yavneh College. This is in addition to the mental health support it already provides for those aged 11 to 18 at JCoSS and JFS, and young people from 11 to 25 years in the Jewish community.

Jami has also announced that it will host a webinar to help parents support their children’s digital habits, alongside the launch of a new digital safety guide designed for families.

The webinar is on  May 29, 7.45-9.15pm, on Zoom

Register here to join or go to: http://bit.ly/4kWF9vn

This webinar is aimed at parents to help them support their children in navigating the digital world. It will provide expert advice on supporting children to enjoy healthy online habits, become digitally literate and stay safe on social media. It is relevant for the parents of children who are new to the digital world, as well as to those whose children already have an online presence

If you need emergency help:

- Ring Samaritans on Freephone 116 123 (24 hours a day) 

- Contact Shout via their 24/7 free text service. Text Jami to 85258