Introduction
In recognition of June being ‘National Men’s Health Month’ there will hopefully be greater attention given to mental health care and its peculiar challenges. In particular, to the challenges currently facing the Hispanic/Latinx (H/L) community.
Recognizing the importance of mental health breaks our habit of viewing health as being merely corporeal. Given that poor mental health is likely to impact eating habits, as discussed in the Yumlish podcast episode, “Childhood Obesity and Mental Health,” with Dr. Shailen Sutaria, mental and physical health depend on each other for holistic well-being. Dr. Sutaria’s study, for example, shows that obese children have a 30% increased risk of depression or depressive symptoms. In this same study, the risk of developing depression, or depressive symptoms, for obese girls rises from 40 to 50%.
The ‘Machismo’ Concept
Research by the American Journal of Men’s Health, conducted over the past twenty years, shows that “individuals identifying with male genders are less likely to engage with health services, especially mental health, when compared to their female-identifying counterparts.” The ‘Machismo’ concept is crucial to understanding this disparity. This concept is a culmination of the pressures and expectations of acting masculine, and has particular significance in the Hispanic/Latinx community. The National Institutes of Health’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, says that this ‘Machismo’ concept, “cherishes traditional masculine traits like dominance, stoicism, and emotional restraint.”
Despite many character traits of what the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute calls, this “profound sense of masculine pride,” being positive, traits such as compassion, self-reliance, and familial responsibility; it can do more harm than good. Crucially, it makes seeking for help and care appear as though one is submitting to adversity. That seeking help is a sign of weakness. The consequences of this is particularly illustrated by a study from California State University, in 2021, which showed a “strong linkage between higher machismo levels and elevated levels of stress and depression.” And the barriers to care, particularly for the H/L community, only make matters worse.
Barriers to Health Care
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, due to the unique barriers that the H/L community faces when seeking mental health care, “35.1% of Hispanic/Latinx adults with mental illness receive treatment each year compared to the U.S. average of 46.2%.” One barrier faced by the H/L community is language barrier. The difficulty of sharing sensitive and personal information, outside of your mother tongue, can make therapy sessions void of impact. Additionally, the percentage of H/L people who live in poverty is nearly double that of non-Hispanic whites. 20% of non-elderly Hispanic people do not have health insurance. Access to mental health care, for this reason, may not even be feasible for a large part of the community.
Conclusion
With a positive correlation shown between racial discrimination and measures of depression and anxiety symptoms, the attention paid to the mental well-being of all minority groups, including the Hispanic/Latinx community is becoming increasingly imperative. In this month, which recognizes men’s health, it is important that its consideration, and the conversations built around it, extend beyond it. Whether it is reaching out to a health professional or a friend, every conversation will gradually make care more accessible.