Mexico faces mental health crisis among men

Mexico is facing a critical mental health crisis among men, driven largely by cultural stereotypes of masculinity that encourage emotional repression. Specialists warn that these social pressures, often manifested in phrases like "men shouldn't cry," prevent men from seeking help for conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Data from the Mexican Observatory of Mental Health and Addictions shows that in 2024, out of 303,356 people treated for mental health conditions, 205,336 were women and only 98,020 were men. Despite lower treatment numbers, the consequences are severe. According to INEGI, there were 8,856 suicides in Mexico in 2024. The suicide rate for men was 11.2 per 100,000, significantly higher than the female rate of 2.6 per 100,000. Among men, the highest suicide rates were observed in the 30 to 44 age group (18.8) and the 15 to 29 age group (15.4).