By now, you’ve heard what boys are carrying, and how often they carry it alone.
The question isn’t just why this happens. It’s what we do about it.
Most boys don’t need someone to fix their grief. They need people who can stay present with it, without rushing to make it smaller or more comfortable.
Here are some ways to show up:
Ask and actually stay for the answer.
Not just “are you okay,” but questions that leave room for honesty, and the patience to sit with whatever comes back.
Let silence be part of the conversation.
Not every moment of grief gets filled. Sometimes the most supportive thing is not steering it away.
Take their feelings seriously, even when they’re indirect.
Humor, irritability, withdrawal, and shutdown are often part of how grief shows up when words aren’t available.
Keep showing up after the first conversation.
Grief doesn’t resolve in a single moment, and neither does trust.
Make space without making it a performance.
Boys don’t need to “open up correctly.” They need room to be real in whatever way they can be.
If you want to do more than this in a structured way, you can support this work directly by volunteering with Experience Camps, and helping us expand access to grief spaces for boys and teens by sharing GRIEF SUCKS.
You can also donate to support our work and the growing need for spaces where grieving young people don’t have to carry it alone.
