Episode #29: A Conversation About Mena and Mental Health Part 2
In this episode the X-Podcast Team continues the conversation about men and mental health. Once again, they make some personal disclosures and also shed light on the common barriers and contributors to modern mental health issues and men. They talk about the difference in the ability for women to find support for their mental health related issues as opposed to men.
This episode mentions suicide. If you’re in crisis, help is available now: Call or text the free, confidential 988 Lifeline at 988. Suicide is discussed in depth so please take care of yourself and do not listen to this podcast if this is a trigger for you. We will be back next week with a different topic you can enjoy and feel safe about.
In addition the team gets into friend groups and people we surround ourselves with that can make a positive or negative difference in seeking mental health. They get into how relationships that men have can influence them and their choices about their mental health good and bad.
Some other topics include physiological, cultural and social factors that influence men’s mental health
Host Xiomara A. Sosa and co-host JRoc along with guest Ant get into a lively and relatable discussion that does touch on the dark subject of suicide on this important topic.
Men and people who identify as men face challenges because of the expectations and norms specifically to the identity and experience related to masculinity.
Other notes:
Identity factors
Men who struggle with who they are and how they fit in with society may experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including men, often face discrimination, exclusion, and threats to their welfare. They may suppress parts of who they are to conform and stay safe. In addition to these and other stresses, transgender men—men who were assigned female at birth—may encounter barriers to transitioning and accessing appropriate health care.
Men of color regularly face stress and trauma due to racism, and mental health stigma and racial disparities in mental health care can be roadblocks to getting treatment. In one study, only 26.4% of Black and Latino men aged 18 to 44 sought mental health care for their daily feelings of depression or anxiety, compared to 45.4% of white men with the same feelings.
Men with disabilities often face unequal access and discrimination in employment, housing, health care, and insurance coverage. In addition, physical challenges like immobility or chronic pain, and social challenges like isolation and lack of understanding from family and friends, can impact their mental health.
Social and cultural factors
Masculinity has long been associated with success, power, and control. While many people are learning to move beyond these stereotypes, others are doubling down on traditional ideas about how men should act and be treated.
Patriarchy, or the traditional belief that men should have authority over others, leads to sexist attitudes and behaviors. It also harms men’s mental health: Men who buy into destructive patriarchal ideals like being aggressive and in control are more likely to become socially isolated as they get older.
Men often learn to avoid emotional expressiveness. They may instead suppress their feelings, avoid talking about what’s going on, and get angry or aggressive when they feel emotional pain.
Mental health stigmas prevent many men from seeking help for mental health issues. Men may feel they have to be strong and self-reliant. They may also buy into the belief that getting help for a mental health problem makes them weak or somehow less masculine. In one study of people’s experiences with suicidal ideation and depression, more men than women admitted to feeling embarrassed about looking for professional help.
Many men learn that their value comes from working hard, earning high wages, and providing for their families. This expectation can make employment issues like job loss, financial strain, and workplace stress harder on men’s mental health. Studies show that men in male-dominated workplaces may be especially vulnerable to depression.
Stereotyped masculinity plays a role in how men deal with relationship problems. Many men isolate themselves rather than ask for help, or they turn toward substances like alcohol to deal with feelings of anger, sadness, regret, guilt, and shame. Relationship distress, including marital separation and divorce, is hard regardless of gender, but research suggests it puts men at an increased risk of mental health problems including anxiety, depression, and suicide.
Social isolation is a common problem for men, especially as they get older. Close friendships have been decreasing for decades, but men have seen a steeper decline: The majority have just three close friends, compared to at least six 30 years ago. Single men are at higher risk of social isolation, and living alone increases their risk of suicidal ideation.
How age affects men’s mental health
Although mental health problems can happen at any age, some issues tend to be more common in specific age groups.
During childhood, boys are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Both disorders can cause significant behavioral, emotional, and adaptive problems.
As adolescents and young adults, boys and men are more likely to engage in risky behaviors like drinking alcohol, using drugs, driving recklessly, and dying by suicide. Schizophrenia may also develop during this stage—90% of people diagnosed before age 30 are men.
Middle-age men may experience work-related stress and anxiety, financial problems, relationship and family difficulties, and physical health problems. Many men go through a “midlife crisis,” which typically involves dissatisfaction with life and a fear of getting older. Although it’s more of a social phenomenon than a mental illness, a midlife crisis can lead many men to act impulsively and take risks they wouldn’t normally take.
Older men are at risk for isolation and depression. They may have to come to terms with the deaths of friends and loved ones, as well as their own declining health.
Consequences of mental health problems
Mental health problems often have a ripple effect. For instance, men who face stigma around seeking mental health treatment may use alcohol or drugs to cope, which then affects their work performance, home life, and relationships. Substance abuse is a major public health problem in the United States, and men account for the vast majority of cases. This has been linked to outcomes including aggression, violence, sexual assault, and traffic accidents, as well as physical health problems like cancer.
Common signs that a man may be struggling
Signs that a man may be having mental health problems include:
Anger, irritability, restlessness, or aggressive behavior
Drastic changes in mood, energy, appetite, or sleep
Trouble focusing or concentrating
Increased or persistent worry or stress
Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior
Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
Increased use or misuse of alcohol or drugs
Involvement in high-risk activities
Inexplicable body aches, headaches, or digestive problems
Suicidal thoughts
How men can protect their mental healthThe steps below can help people of any gender protect their mental health, but they may be especially useful for men.
Challenge the “man up” mindset. It’s important to understand that it’s okay to not be okay, and that reaching out for help is a courageous thing to do.
Build a support network. Connecting with friends, family, and others can help you feel less alone. Support groups in particular can be a safe space to share experiences and interact in positive new ways.
Watch out for unhealthy habits. Smoking, drinking, using drugs, and other risky behaviors can all contribute to mental health problems or make existing issues worse.
Replace unhealthy habits with healthier ones. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep can help you manage stress better and avoid turning toward unhealthy coping mechanisms when times are tough.
Talk to someone you trust. Learning how to express and deal with emotions in a healthy way is an important step toward well-being. Talking to a trusted partner, friend, family member, therapist, or doctor can help you better understand and manage your feelings.
It’s never too late to get support for your mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling check out the resource list.
Men are less likely than women to be diagnosed with any of the most common mental health disorders. And those who have received a diagnosis are less likely to seek treatment. Yet nearly four times as many men as women die by suicide.
Why don’t men receive the diagnoses and care they need to heal frontal health disorders? Social norms around gender teach young men that they should be emotionally strong and avoid showing vulnerability or asking for help from others. In addition, men sometimes lack what’s known as mental health literacy—the ability to recognize, identify, and describe their emotions.
Therefore, men who are experiencing mental health problems tend to downplay their symptoms, don’t acknowledge what they’re going through, and are reluctant to seek help.
Key Takeaways
Male mental health statistics show that 1 in every 10 men struggles with anxiety and/or depression, but this is likely an underestimate as men are less likely to report mental illness.
Many men don’t seek mental healthcare due to stigma, or because they have trouble expressing what they’re feeling, so only about half of those who are struggling get help.
The most common mental health conditions in men include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and substance use disorder.
Gender-response, individualized care can help men to better understand themselves and to create a toolkit of healthy coping strategies for dealing with stress and emotional pain.
Why Don’t Young Men Seek Mental Healthcare?
The Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) estimates that 1 in every 10 men struggles with anxiety and/or depression. However, men don’t tend to talk openly about their emotional struggles, such as feeling sad, worthless, anxious, or hopeless.
As a result, mental health issues in young men often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. That means that far more men are suffering than male mental health statistics reflect. And the ADAA estimates that only about half of men with mental health issues seek support.
Why don’t men access mental health services? Here are some of the reasons:
Fear of looking weak, because society still teaches men they should be tough
Difficulty recognizing what they are feeling, and misinterpreting depression or anxiety as “normal stress”
Believing they should be able to handle hard feelings on their own, without professional help
Reluctance to share their emotions and experiences with a mental health professional
The Most Common Mental Health Disorders in Men
To help men get the care they need, friends and family can learn the signs of male mental illness and ask questions when they see those signs in their loved ones. Below are the five of the most common male mental health disorders.
Depression
Male depression is perhaps the most common among men’s mental health issues. According to CDC statistics on men’s mental health, 5.5 percent of young adult males suffer from depression. That’s about half the number of women of the same age. But male depression is diagnosed less often than in women. Many young men have depression that is not identified by their doctor because their symptoms are less typical of major depressive disorder.
Furthermore, men are less likely to receive depression diagnoses than women, and they also attempt suicide at lower rates than women. However, they are 4 times more likely to die by suicide, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Among young adults (ages 20–24), males are 5 times more likely to die by suicide than women. That’s because men who attempt suicide use more deadly methods, particularly firearms. In addition, since young adults attempt suicide at higher rates than any other age group, young men are at extremely high risk.
Signs of Depression in Men
Aggression and violence
High-risk activities
Problem substance use, such as binge drinking
Physical issues, such as chronic headaches or stomach aches
Feelings of restlessness and difficulty focusing
Appetite and weight changes
Fatigue
If someone is at immediate risk of suicide, call 911 or the local emergency number, or dial 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Know the Facts
49% of men feel more depressed than they are willing to admit to the people around them, and 45% believe mental health issues can be solved on their own, according to a Today Show survey of 1,000 men.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are one of the most common male mental health disorders. Types of anxiety disorders in men include:
Panic disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Phobias
While women are about twice as likely to struggle with general anxiety disorder and panic disorder, rates of social anxiety and OCD are roughly equal between men and women. Also, anxiety in men often leads to a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with substance use disorder and ADHD.
Feelings of worry and stress that seem impossible to control
A sense of restlessness or being on edge
Sleep problems—either insomnia or sleeping too much
A dip in academic or work performance
Physical symptoms, such as muscle tension, stomachaches, and headaches
Nausea, sweating, and shaking—particularly associated with social anxiety
Avoidance—staying away from situations or places that trigger anxiety
Substance Use Disorder
Data from the Monitoring the Future survey shows that, in general, young men are more likely than women to use drugs, including marijuana, hallucinogens, and prescription painkillers, as self-medication for mental health problems. Plus, men are almost two times more likely to binge drink than women, and have consistently higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations. Because problematic drinking and other male substance use is seen as socially acceptable for young men, and even considered “masculine,” it’s less frequently recognized as a symptom of a male mental health condition.
These attitudes put young males at higher risk for substance abuse, including becoming dependent on multiple substances, according to a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, the University of Minnesota, and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Consequently, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) statistics show that substance use disorder is among the most common male mental health disorders, with more men in treatment than women.
Signs of a Substance Use Problem in Men
Difficulty functioning at work or in school
Trouble sleeping
Changes in weight, either extreme loss or gain
Legal problems as a result of drug use
Risky behavior, such as driving or unsafe sex, and you mix alcohol with prescription drugs.
Trying to hide drug or alcohol use from other people
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is another of the most common mental health issues in men. Moreover, PTSD isn’t just something military veterans suffer from. Approximately 60 percent of men experience at least one trauma in their lives, typically related to accidents, physical assault, combat, or witnessing death or injury. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than two-thirds of adolescents have experienced a traumatic event, and those experiences can have long-term effects on young adult mental health.
In the weeks, months, and even years following an experience of trauma, young men can experience PTSD symptoms that interfere with their daily life and functioning. And while PTSD diagnoses are again more common in women than men, experts suspect that this may also be because of men’s conditioning to suffer in silence, or to disregard physical or behavioral issues that may be symptoms of PTSD or another common male mental health disorder.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
Flashbacks to the traumatic event
Panic attacks
Confusion, lack of focus, and difficulty making decisions
Nightmares, insomnia, and other sleeping issues
Irritable or aggressive behavior
A feeling of emotional numbness
Edginess, hyper-alertness
Avoidance of anything that might trigger memories of trauma, including people, places, or situations
Suicidal thoughts
Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of PTSD in young adults.
Bipolar Disorder in Men
The symptoms of bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, include extreme ups and downs in mood and activity levels. Bipolar disorder symptoms in males typically manifest between the ages of 15 and 24, and affects about 3 percent of the US population. Bipolar in young men isn’t as common as other male mental health conditions. But the vast majority of bipolar disorder cases—83 percent—are classified as severe, according to the National Alliance for Mental Illness.
As with other common mental health disorders, bipolar disorder is underdiagnosed in young men. Many of the symptoms of bipolar in men can be written off as “normal” young male behavior. For example, overconfidence and reckless behavior are signs of the manic phase of bipolar, while irritability and social withdrawal are symptoms of the depressive phase. And research shows that men tend to experience less frequent cycling between the phases, making bipolar disorder in males harder to recognize.
How to Help Men Get the Care They Need for Mental Health Conditions
As we have seen above, young men are struggling, and they are not getting the care they need. Because men often don’t seek help on their own and because their symptoms show up in less obvious ways, male mental health issues are underdiagnosed. That leaves men with common mental health disorders feeling isolated and alone—and ultimately puts them at higher risk of suicide attempts.
What can be done to help men with mental health challenges get support? Loved ones can be on the alert for male mental health symptoms. And be aware that anger, irritability, and even physical violence can be signs of depression or another mental health issue. Talk to your loved one about what they’re experiencing. You might even offer to make an appointment or research mental health services or support groups for them. Sometimes taking that first step feels impossible, but men are willing to try if someone else arranges it for them.
Furthermore, physicians and mental health professionals can continue to educate themselves. Doctors can recommend a mental health screening for male patients who may be at risk or have unexplained physical symptoms. Moreover, it’s essential to avoid misdiagnosing or overlooking men’s mental health problems because signs of mental illness in males look different than they do in other genders.
Treatment for Common Male Mental Health Disorders
At Newport Institute, we help young men heal by guiding them to uncover their true selves and build authentic and trusting relationships with peers. Our gender-specific, individualized approach helps young men to better understand themselves and to create a toolkit of healthy coping strategies for dealing with stress and emotional pain.
Treatment for men’s mental health issues at Newport Institute includes:
Psychiatric care, including medication management
Individual therapy to address past trauma and build healthy coping skills
Group therapy so young men learn they are not alone in facing mental health conditions
Family therapy to address ruptures in relationships with parents, siblings, and/or romantic partners
Support with academics and/or life skills, such as building a resume, interviewing for jobs, etc.
Through treatment, young men learn how to navigate the inevitable challenges of life while staying honest, open, and connected with themselves and the people they love.
What is the most common mental illness for males?
Mental health conditions often go undiagnosed, as men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health symptoms. However, the fact that suicide rates for men are four times higher than for women indicates that depression may be the most common mental illness in men.
Is there a men’s mental health crisis?
Yes, particularly in regard to suicide rates. Men are 4 times more likely than women to die by suicide, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Among young adults (ages 20–24), males are 5 times more likely to die by suicide than women.
What percentage of males suffer from mental health?
Nearly 1 in every 10 men struggles with anxiety or depression, but only about half of them seek help. Moreover, because signs of mental illness in males may look different than in other genders, male mental health issues are often underdiagnosed.
Why are men struggling with mental health?
As with other genders, various factors contribute to male mental health issues, including genetics, life history, brain function, traumatic experiences, and daily circumstances. In addition, men may struggle in silence for longer periods of time, as they tend to avoid seeking help due to societal stigma and the idea that they shouldn’t be vulnerable.
Mental Health and Men of Color: Addressing Common Misconceptions
Diverse populations, Men, Patients and Families
The prevailing thinking is that men simply don’t express their emotions, however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The discrepancy lies in how we define the term “express” as a man may choose to navigate frustration and anger in a quieter and more reserved manner or in a more visibly angry, explicit way. Both are valid means of expressing emotion. All men are different and operate along a spectrum of emotional expression.
To identify solutions to mental health issues that plague men, it is of the utmost importance that we take the time to understand the misconceptions and stereotypes around men and mental health. This blog openly challenges four myths associated with the mental health of men, with a particular focus on boys and men of color. Hopefully, these words will provide a moment of reflection and challenge the current ways of thinking when it comes to how our mental health care system can improve mental health outcomes for boys and men of color and for men in general.
Myth 1: Personal weakness is the reason why mental health issues arise in boys and men of color
Truth: Mental health issues may arise secondary to biological/individual, environmental, and/or genetic factors. The environment, life experiences, such as trauma or history of abuse, and family histories of mental conditions can shape the mental health of boys and men of color.1 Racial stress and discrimination are known to raise hormone levels and cause long-lasting effects on the brain. The prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus are all affected by changes in glucocorticoids and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In excess, these increased levels may lead to poorer mental health outcomes. Furthermore, other stress responses in the brain in combination with other changes may also contribute to mental illness.
Personal weakness is never the cause of mental health issues in boys and men of color, nor is it with anyone else that experiences issues impacting their mental health.
Myth 2: Boys and men of color are less likely to engage in mental health services because they don’t want to.
Truth: As a result of the economy, stigma, socioeconomic status, and health insurance, some boys and men of color are less likely to seek mental health services. Stigma is one of the leading explanations for their lack of participation in mental health services, whether the stigma is experienced, anticipated, or internalized. Unfortunately, the rate of boys and men of color that are insured and able to receive mental health services is much lower than the White population, and therefore finding help for mental health services is more difficult.
Mental healthcare clinicians can facilitate healing the inequalities experienced by boys and men of color by participating in identity-affirming therapy, or therapy that recognizes Black identity through group identification, racial ideology, and public regard to lessen the consequences of discrimination.
Myth 3: Boys and men of color often “suffer in silence” by choosing to “bottle up” their emotions.
Truth: While some men, of course, willingly hold their emotions in, not all men do. Often, men express their emotions and we as clinicians (and society as a whole) misidentify them entirely. We must be more attentive and conscientious toward how boys and men of color may express feelings, which may manifest in more subdued and indirect ways. Perhaps this is the way some men effectively process uncomfortable and difficult emotions. Subtle changes in demeanor and attitude should be noted and recognized as outward expressions of emotion aren’t always helpful or appropriate. Emotional expression, whether explicit or implicit, may be a sign of a man in need of assistance, warranting both our empathy and compassion.
Myth 4: Boys and men of color “need to speak up” to receive the mental health treatment that many may need.
Truth: While it is true that boys and men of color should always be encouraged to voice their needs about pursuing assistance for their own emotional health, we also need to make sure that we are better-identifying signs of overwhelming stress in boys and men of color for the purpose of offering a helping hand. It’s our job as mental health professionals to be able to identify nontraditional signs and symptoms of stress and mental illness in boys and men of color and educate society at large on these symptoms as well. Lindsey & Marcell found that there are three barriers that prevent help-seeking among boys and men of color : the individual level (isolation), the social level (interaction with others), and the community level (negative beliefs about mental health care.) To better engage boys and men of color in mental health services, researchers argue that there must be interventions at all levels to help motivate them to seek help when needed.
What to look for and how to help
The following is a list of some signs and symptoms in boys and men of color that may possibly indicate poor mental health:
Physical complaints, such as headaches, G.I. discomfort, and body aches
Engaging in escapist behaviors, such as excessive working or excessive gaming
Difficulty with concentration and focus
Increased substance use
Excessive risk-taking/impulsive behaviors
Increased isolation and/or withdrawal socially
Increased irritability/anger
Increased physical aggression or violent behavior
To further support the mental health of boys and men of color , consider taking the following next steps:
Attempt to understand the boys and men of color experience through conversation and research
Reflect on the support you are providing (or not providing) to the boys and men of color in your own life
Be aware of and identify the more subtle signs of possible poor mental health
Help identify and fortify effective social supports for boys and men of color
Help escalate care if needed to a trusted mental health provider
While Men’s Mental Health Month in June brings important and much-needed awareness, it is often overlooked or treated like an afterthought. Boys and men of color represent a heterogenous group full of different skin tones, cultural experiences, and expressions of their own unique sense of ethnic identity. Our evolving mental health care system must continue to work to understand and create treatment options that meet the mental health needs of boys and men of color while also focusing on effective preventative strategies to foster healthy development.
Mental Health and Latino Men: Breaking the Barriers of Stigma
Latino men are less likely to seek mental health services than women.
KEY POINTS
Men face mental health conditions at the same rate as women, yet they seek less mental health support.
Promoting mental health is a whole-family, whole-community effort.
More Latino, male mental health clinicians are needed to destigmatize men's mental health.
Personally and professionally, I have observed that women tend to be more comfortable discussing their feelings, their personal struggles, and mental health in general, and this is true even in our Latino community. Latino men can be influenced by the heaviness that comes with systems of oppression, such as machismo and sexism, that place men at risk of hiding their emotions, suppressing vulnerability, and being afraid of asking for help. If we are not careful, even women may uphold these harmful systems of oppression—this shows up through shaming men who show vulnerability, seek comfort, and ask for help. Thankfully, things are changing, as modeled by Bad Bunny’s appearance on SNL, and men are becoming more comfortable talking about mental health. To help me delve deeper into this topic, I spoke to Luis Resendez, a Latino clinician who focuses on men's mental health.
As Latinos, we must band together to support our community’s efforts to improve our collective mental health. Familismo and collectivism are key values in our Latino culture that can protect our mental health when implemented well. We thrive when we work together and empower each other to embrace our full humanity.
In the United States, Latinos face a wide array of cultural and structural barriers to accessing and utilizing mental health care. Latino men specifically are at high risk of receiving inadequate mental health care, possibly due to additional obstacles they experience that are related to masculinity. Among men more generally, greater adherence to emotional control and self-reliance is associated with higher depression severity and less depression help-seeking. Men experience more stigma toward depression and help-seeking and are less likely to be diagnosed with depression than women. However, Latino men’s barriers and facilitators to depression care remain largely unexplored. The objective of this study was to examine barriers and facilitators to depression care that are related to masculinity among English- and Spanish-speaking Latino men in a primary care setting.
Results
We interviewed thirteen participants who varied in English proficiency, education, income, and country of origin. Barriers and facilitators were placed into three domains—Self-Recognition of Depression, Seeking Help for Depression, and Depression Diagnosis and Treatment. Participants described aspects of masculinity as barriers (emotional control and pressure to provide), facilitators (honesty, courage, collaboration, practicality, and responsibility), or both (self-reliance and autonomy).
Conclusions
Masculinity influences barriers and facilitators for depression care among Latino men at the levels of self-recognition, seeking help, and diagnosis and treatment. Clinicians may promote Latino men’s engagement in depression care by understanding patients’ values and framing depression care as affirming masculinity. Providing education to primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals on gender and depression and addressing structural barriers are essential to providing access to all who need depression care.
Mental health is an integral part of our overall well-being, yet, for many, seeking support remains challenging. This is especially true for Latino men, who face unique cultural and societal challenges when confronting mental health issues.
At the heart of the Hispanic/Latino (H/L) cultures is an emphasis on strength, resilience, and self-reliance. These values, although positive in many respects, can inadvertently act as barriers. The concept of machismo, which cherishes traditional masculine traits like dominance, stoicism, and emotional restraint, might suggest that seeking help for mental health is a sign of weakness. However, it is essential to recognize that seeking help is, in fact, a sign of strength and self-awareness.
For some H/L men, language barriers and limited access to culturally competent mental health services can make seeking support even more challenging. Without the ability to communicate effectively with mental health professionals, these men might feel isolated or misunderstood, making them hesitant to seek the help they need.
The key to destigmatizing mental health among Latino men is communication. By fostering open discussions, we can challenge prevailing stigmas and build safe spaces for men to share their experiences. Let us remember that mental health is interconnected with other aspects of well-being, like physical health and relationships. By promoting mental health awareness, we are advocating for holistic well-being.
H/L communities must be equipped with accurate information about mental health. We can significantly reduce stigma by introducing educational initiatives that dispel myths and provide resources. Furthermore, creating accessible, culturally competent mental health services is paramount.
Only by aligning support with the cultural backgrounds of Latino men can we truly bridge the gap between traditional values and the necessity of mental health care.
Mental and Behavioral Health - Hispanics
The death rate from suicide for Hispanic men was four times the rate for Hispanic women, in 2018.
However, the suicide rate for Hispanics is less than half that of the non-Hispanic white population.
In 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of death for Hispanics, ages 15 to 34.
Suicide attempts for Hispanic girls, grades 9-12, were 30 percent higher than for non-Hispanic white girls in the same age group, in 2019.
In 2018, Hispanics were 50 percent less likely to have received mental health treatment as compared to non-Hispanic whites.
Poverty level affects mental health status. Hispanics living below the poverty level, as compared to Hispanics over twice the poverty level, are twice as likely to report serious psychological distress.
Many of my Hispanic friends who have mental health issues don’t get the help they need because their parents don’t believe that their symptoms are real. Mental Health in the Latine community is something they believe to be made up and that your mindset cannot impact your day-to-day life.
“Los problemas mentales no son reales”
“Mental health issues aren’t real.”
It’s upsetting to see my friends suffer navigating mental health challenges alone, without the help of therapy or other forms of support. There is a stigma associated with recognizing that mental health impacts are real and that you might need professional help to overcome them. It is also unfortunate that when my friends do reach out for help, and their parents are supportive, they can’t afford the costs of therapy. For a lot of people in the Latine community, mental health isn’t a priority or a possibility due to systemic issues such as lack of health care, language barriers, or strong religious faith. Below I will be exploring why these stigmas prevail and suggest some solutions.
Religion on Mental Health in the Latine Community
Faith can have a strong role in many Latine communities, so much so that these communities rely on religious resources like churches for educational and social spaces for support more than they trust Mental Health organizations and facilities. According to Rutgers State University Of New Jersey, a study in the journal Hispanic Health Care International, “Latines report experiencing mental health issues at about the same rates as white non-Hispanics in the United States, but they are only half as likely to seek treatment, largely due to stigma influenced by cultural and religious views.”
The same study conducted by Caplan shared that, “Many respondents recalled growing up in communities where mentally ill people were ostracized and where families refused to talk about mental illness or even acknowledge it might exist within their family. Many expressed the belief that depression and other disorders were caused by a lack of faith or prayer.”
Some of the most common beliefs in the Latine community about Mental Health relating to religion, are that if you have poor mental health, it is a punishment or an act of holy justice. Also that mental health is more spiritual than a medical condition. It can also be said that depression (also known as major depression, major depressive disorder, or clinical depression), anxiety, post-trauma stress disorder (PTSD), and self-harm are due to not praying enough, having a lack of faith, bad behavior toward others, and even demonic influences. So to ‘resolve this’ you need to have more faith and pray more.
On the other hand, religion and joining church groups can improve mental health as it brings a sense of purpose, support, acceptance, and forgiveness that can benefit your mental health. Being part of a group will also make you feel less lonesome and reduces stress. It all depends on what you take out of the experience and how you execute it.
Lack of Health care On Mental Health In The Latine Community
Unfortunately, many Hispanic/Latine communities lack access to healthcare. This could be because of socioeconomics, immigration status, and professionals being unable to address their particular needs. Research from NAMI shows that 35.1% of Hispanic/Latine adults with mental illness receive treatment each year compared to the U.S. average of 46.2%. Additionally, considering that 17.0% of Hispanic/Latine people in the U.S. live in poverty, they are more exposed to a higher risk of mental illness, and the cost of insurance is practically impossible to cover.
Secondly, many undocumented immigrants don’t want to get help from professionals because of the fear of deportation. There are facilities and programs aiming to help those without documents like the Affordable Care Act. Yet if they are not aware of these opportunities, many children and adults will be left without support. On the other hand, the many families that do know about health care can still be wary of the services, fearing they will be detained and separated from loved ones and the place they worked so hard to reach.
According to NAMI, “more than half of Hispanic young adults ages 18-25 with serious mental illness may not receive treatment. This inequality puts these communities at a higher risk for more severe and persistent forms of mental health conditions because, without treatment, mental health conditions worsen.”
Lastly, there is a persistent inequality shown in many healthcare facilities, which limits the amount of help Latine people can access. Prejudice, judgments, and a cultural barrier can prevent Hispanics from feeling comfortable, understood, and seen in mental health facilities. All Health Care places must treat Hispanics as equal human beings and recognize their particular needs.
Language Barriers
Many Latine communities only speak Spanish, and most of the time, they rely on their young ones to translate for them. Although this is helpful, it places a lot of responsibility on children, and the translation can be complicated when communicating with doctors since the language of mental healthcare can be difficult to translate. Thankfully, we are seeing more inclusivity in clinics with professionals who speak Spanish or are bilingual, but there is still more to be done.
Latine people are very diverse, and there are people in Brazil who speak Portuguese or people coming from Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Colombia who speak Quechua. “A provider without training on how culture influences a person’s interpretation of their symptoms is highly likely to misdiagnose them.” Said NAMI. Misdiagnosing someone can be extremely dangerous, possibly threatening people’s lives. For this reason, it’s really important that Hispanic and Latine families can rely on dignified and accessible healthcare.
Facing the Stigma
My uncle brought up a very good point when speaking about Mental Health Stigma. “Mexican and Latinos, in general, are a proud people.” This is very true; being proud of our heritage and roots tends to move us away from asking for help. Oftentimes we don’t want to be seen as weak or in need of assistance. It’s even harder for Hispanic men with mental health issues because machismo and sexist ideas responsibilize them for providing and protecting their families. So asking for assistance, especially when it’s for their mental health, can be difficult.
Overall, to face the stigma, I propose that we do the following things:
Educate the Latine community about Mental Health care
Making Mental Healthcare affordable and aware of cultural barriers.
Work with translators to erase the language barriers.
Have honest conversations among families on the physiologic side of mental health.
Support family involvement in Mental Healthcare.
Accept that we all need help, and there is nothing wrong with seeking support.
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References:
https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/mental-health-and-men-of-color
https://www.edi.nih.gov/blog/communities/mental-health-and-latino-men-breaking-barriers-stigma
SAMHSA. (2023). Mental Health Myths and Facts. SAMHSA. Retrieved July 18, 2023 from https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/myths-and-facts
Berger, M., & Sarnyai, Z. (2015). “More than skin deep”: stress neurobiology and mental health consequences of racial discrimination. Stress, 18(1), 1-10.
Rivera, K. J., Zhang, J. Y., Mohr, D. C., Wescott, A. B., & Pederson, A. B. (2021). A Narrative Review of Mental Illness Stigma Reduction Interventions Among African Americans in The United States. J Ment Health Clin Psychol, 5(2), 20-31.
https://doi.org/10.29245/2578-2959/2021/2.1235
National Center for Health Statistics. (2019). National Health Interview Survey. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),. Retrieved July 18, 2023 from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm
Gómez, J. M. (2015). Microaggressions and the Enduring Mental Health Disparity:Black Americans at Risk for Institutional Betrayal. Journal of Black Psychology, 41(2), 121-143.
Lindsey, M. A., & Marcell, A. V. (2012). “We’re Going Through a Lot of Struggles That People Don’t Even Know About”:The Need to Understand African American Males’ Help-Seeking for Mental Health on Multiple Levels. American Journal of Men's Health, 6(5), 354-364.
Ward, E. C., Wiltshire, J. C., Detry, M. A., & Brown, R. L. (2013). African American men and women's attitude toward mental illness, perceptions of stigma, and preferred coping behaviors.
Nurs Res, 62(3), 185-194. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNR.0b013e31827bf533
Walter E. Wilson Jr., M.D., M.H.A.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist HealthPoint Family Care, Inc., Covington, KY
Chairperson, APA Council on Minority Mental Health and Health Disparities
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