Boys Need More Male Role Models. Here’s a Career Where You Can Be One
July 15, 2026 – Right now, there’s a young boy who does not want to go to school because he is being bullied.
There’s a teenage boy who has witnessed gun violence and is having trouble processing his emotions. Another male teen is overwhelmed as he tries to care for his siblings and juggle school while his single mother works two jobs. And out on the streets, a young man struggling with addiction lacks the confidence to ask for help.
According to a 2025 RAND report, 1 in 3 boys and young men have no trusted adult male that they can confide in. And 1 in 4 don’t have a male mentor who can help them plan for the future. This is especially true for young Black males and LGBTQ+ male youth.
Broken homes, poverty, food insecurity, domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual abuse and other challenges and social pressures can lead to anxiety and feelings of anger, frustration, sadness, hopelessness and despair.
These young boys and men deserve a chance to work through their emotions and challenges in a safe way. Often, it starts with confiding in a trusted male adult who listens without judgement. Someone relatable, who understands their experience or simply cares enough to show up. That’s what a male Certified Wellness Coach offers.
Consider a Rewarding Career Helping Others
There is an urgent need to support the mental health needs of California’s children and youth. It’s a key reason why California created a new behavioral health care profession: the Certified Wellness Coach (CWC). If you are starting your career or considering a career change, you might be a good fit.
Wellness Coaches provide non-clinical services to support the behavioral health and well-being of young people, including wellness promotion and education, screening, care coordination, individual and group support, and crisis referral. They work as part of a larger care team and under the direction of qualified school professionals or clinicians in schools, community organizations, and other health care settings that serve youth.
In this role, you could help a family connect with resources they didn’t know existed. You may encourage a young boy to keep trying before he gives up on school. You could be the trusted adult who picks up on signs that a child or teen needs an immediate referral to a school counselor or therapist. You’ll be a trusted male mentor and part of an important care team that is making a difference, particularly in young males’ lives.
As you grow in your career, you may find that being a CWC is a great stepping stone to other behavioral health care careers.
The good news is that the certification process is free. And you don’t need to worry about AI taking this job…nothing can replace your authentic experience and compassion for others. Learn more and check your eligibility here.
