ABSTRACT
Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety can be just as debilitating as physical health conditions (e.g., cancer, heart disease) and can even lead to functional limitations, loss of productivity, and premature death (Scott, Lim, & Al-Hamzawi, 2016; Watkins, Assari, & Johnson-Lawrence, 2015). Previous research shows that early detection and targeted treatment interventions are key components in improving an individual’s overall quality of life after receiving a serious mental health diagnosis. However, additional clarity is needed to determine which factors contribute to disparities in mental health and mental illness among various communities, groups, and individuals. One helpful starting place may be the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of mental health, which is described as “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community” (WHO, 2014, para. 1). Notably, race and racism are important topics at the forefront of mental health disparities research. However, we propose that gender also serves as a critical force that impacts experiences, beliefs, and perceptions of mental health, as rates of death by suicide are nearly four times higher among men than they are for women. Therefore, addressing gender disparities is necessary to uncover which social determinants promote or inhibit (or both) men’s experiences with psychological well-being.
