In the U.S., Latinos are the largest ethnic minority -- a population of over 40 million. Of this group, 40 percent reported that Spanish is their preferred language, according to a report by the Surgeon General. The new Real Men Real Depression materials were created to help Spanish-speaking people across the country and from all over the world to understand more about depression, a serious illness. As the nation's primary mental health research agency, NIMH is dedicated to reducing the burden of mental and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain, and behavior. As part of that mission, NIMH provides mental health information to the public and, in particular, focuses on reducing disparities in health care.
"Depression and other mood disorders cross all national, cultural, ethnic, and gender boundaries. NIMH developed Real Men Real Depression to inform the nation that depression can strike men just as it can strike women. Lack of awareness about depression is a serious concern in the Latino community. Through these new materials we hope to teach Latino men that depression is a medical condition that affects both the mind and the body, but there is hope," said Thomas R. Insel, M.D., director, NIMH. "Effective treatments are available and the success rate is very high for people who seek help and remain in treatment."
According to the National Latino and Asian American study, 54 percent of Latino men with at least one episode of major depression in their lifetime do not recognize having a mental health problem. Latinos also report reluctance to getting treatment for depression. And, like U.S.-born white males, Latino men are afraid that seeking
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Contact: Jennifer Loukissas
nimhpress@nih.gov
301-443-4536
NIH/National Institute of Mental Health
11-Oct-2005