Hispanic Men and Mental Health

Different populations face their own issues in regards to mental health. These are tied to cultural ideas and understanding of mental health and mental illness, specific expectations related to gender, and many other factors. Hispanic men are acutely aware of this, as they face many specific factors that affect the way in which they experience mental health issues, seek help, and understand their experience.

For Hispanic men, the problem of mental health is very present. Hispanic men die from suicide four times more than Hispanic women, and for young Hispanic people between the ages of 15 to 34, suicide is the second leading cause of death. Around 6% of Hispanic men report feelings of anxiety and depression but Hispanic men are almost twice less likely to see help or support for these experiences than white men. What are the factors that contribute to mental health challenges among this population?

First, let’s look at the risk factors. Hispanic men in the U.S. might face general factors that contribute to depression and anxiety, such as stress at work or worry about the future. But they also are more vulnerable to specific factors.

Stress from immigration and adaptation

First-generation and second-generation immigrants face a lot of stress due to the change in their circumstances and differences between the culture that is familiar and the one that is new. It creates tension and might require  dealing with a lot of challenges, like learning a new language (for first-generation), managing the different expectations at home and at school and among friends (for second-generation), and others.

Discrimination 

Hispanic men might experience discrimination due to the negative stereotypes existing  in the U.S. Discrimination and prejudice is a significant factor contributing to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, and it is a chronic source of stress.

Cultural expectations 

There are different cultural expectations in regards to masculinity among Hispanic men. Many ideas about what it means to be a man no longer apply or are successful in the modern world. Should a man be the sole provider? Should a man be a player? Should a man prove his masculinity by being tough or angry? Many expectations remain even though they may be harmful to the person or unrealistic. If a man needs to be reliable, tough, capable of standing up for himself, it becomes difficult to recognize feelings of sadness or anxiety because they do not fit this cultural expectation.

This means that Hispanic men face unique stressors that can make them more vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. However, if they happen, it is also clear that a small number of men seek help or support for these issues. What do others do?

There are several strategies that might be chosen to cope with the stress of a mental health problem. The first one is to ignore and bear it. Many might rationalize it by considering that life is difficult, that there is nothing to be done. Another strategy is self-medicating, usually through alcohol or drugs that might reduce the symptoms on the short-term but make the problem worse eventually or develop into substance abuse problems. Sometimes, people try to make themselves feel better by turning to the things that are culturally meant to be good, for instance, work harder, party, seek out short-term sexual relationships. Another alternative is seeking spiritual guidance and support through the church or a traditional spiritual set of beliefs. However, without treatment, many mental health issues get worse or become chronic.

Why don’t Hispanic men seek mental support? There are several important reasons for this. First, there is, of course, cultural expectations and ideas about masculinity.  A man should be tough, for example, or should not be vulnerable, should not show emotion. Seeking help for depression and anxiety can be contrary to these ideas, so men might not feel comfortable with this, trying to solve issues on their own.

Stigma and Fear of Mental Health Treatment

Another significant reason is the very real stigma related to mental illness and mental health treatment among Hispanic communities and also in society in general. People who go to a professional may be viewed as if  something is seriously wrong or this can be a source of shame. Families and friends might discourage men who consider the option or even mock them for the idea. There is a certain pressure to keep issues “indoors”, inside the home, rather than discuss them openly, especially for a man who needs to be seen as strong and may not even feel entirely open with his family.

In addition to this, there are barriers related to receiving help. People who don’t speak English well may not be able to access therapy or express themselves freely.  Some people might have a distrust of institutions, doctors, or the government, often with good cause due to past negative experiences, or fear the potential consequences of being officially diagnosed or labeled as crazy. Financial factors also become significant, as many might not have health insurance or have limited coverage.

Finally, many fear not being understood by the care providers, that is, that they might not be treated well because of who they are or that the providers don’t know enough about their culture or situation to provide care. All of these are significant barriers that make the situation worse for Hispanic men and limit the type and quality of help they can receive for mental health issues. It is important to note that Hispanic is a term that covers a variety of cultures and, while it is possible  to point out some similarities, it is also necessary to consider the specifics.

A stigma for mental health issues continues to exist, even if there have been efforts to reduce it.  Among Hispanic communities and especially for men, there is often a pressure to ignore one’s mental health, to be strong, to be a man, but that pressure can be very harmful and contribute to the high rates of suicide among this population. It is important to be open about these issues, while also being mindful of the culture and respectful of a person’s beliefs, ideals, and practices.

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