June is Men’s Mental Health Month
Our husbands. Our fathers. Our brothers. Our sons.
They are struggling. They are just not saying so.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Let's start with some hard truths.
Hispanic adults are 28% less likely than the general U.S. population to receive mental health treatment. Research tells us that 54% of Latino men with major depression don't even recognize what they are experiencing as depression. They think something is just... wrong with them. Or they think they need to push through. Or they think it will pass.
What Depression Actually Looks Like in Men
Here is something I want every person reading this to understand, because it could help you recognize it in someone you love:
Depression in men does not always look like sadness.
Why Men Don't Ask for Help
Before we talk about solutions, we have to talk honestly about why this happens in the first place. Because it is not laziness, it is not weakness but it is it is culture.
Machismo
In Latino culture, men are raised with a powerful message: be strong. Be the provider. Be the protector. Don't cry. Don't complain. Handle it.
Because men are socialized to suppress emotional pain, it often shows up differently:
Irritability and anger — short fuse, snapping at small things, seeming "stressed" all the time
Overworking — staying late, keeping constantly busy, never being able to sit still
Withdrawal — pulling away from family and friends, becoming emotionally unavailable
Increased drinking or substance use — using alcohol or other substances to numb out
Physical complaints — unexplained headaches, stomach problems, fatigue, chronic pain
Emotional numbness — not sad exactly, but flat. Feeling nothing. Going through the motions.
What We Can Do
Whether you are a man reading this for yourself, or a partner, parent, or friend who is worried about someone, here are some concrete steps:
If you are a man who is struggling:
Talk to your doctor first if a therapist feels like too big a step. Describe your symptoms honestly.
Call or text 988 — it's free, confidential, available 24/7, and offered in Spanish.
Reach out to a bilingual therapist who understands your culture. You should feel seen, not judged, in that space.