College Campuses Tackle Male Loneliness Crisis

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Many college-aged men are surrounded by peers but feel profoundly alone, a growing public health crisis linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide. Educator Matt Wooters describes how the Brothers' Keeper program at John Carroll University provides small groups where young men can be honest about their fears, failures, and grief without judgment, fostering vulnerability, accountability, and authentic intimacy.

Why it matters

The loneliness epidemic among young men is not just a social issue, but a human one with serious mental health consequences. By creating spaces for honest dialogue and mutual support, programs like Brothers' Keeper aim to counter the cultural norms of independence and self-reliance that leave many young men feeling isolated and unable to share their struggles.

The details

The Brothers' Keeper program at John Carroll University facilitates small groups where young men meet regularly to discuss their lives openly, without phones or the expectation to 'fix' each other's problems. Meetings focus on themes like fear, anxiety, healthy intimacy, and the challenges of masculinity, providing a counterculture to the message that independence and toughness are the marks of success.

• National surveys have shown a growing share of young men reporting they have no close friends at all.
• The former U.S. Surgeon General has warned that loneliness is now a public health crisis.

What’s next

Programs like Brothers' Keeper can and should be expanded to college campuses across the country to address the growing crisis of male loneliness.