Mental Health and South Asian Men

During Men’s Mental Health Month in June, South Asian actor Namish Taneja opened up to the Times of India about his own mental health. Taneja, who has starred in many Bollywood tv shows told the Times, “As an actor, the pressure can be intense, and the industry can be very demanding. Unfortunately, in the past few years, the industry has lost many individuals because of depression and ignoring mental health.”

“Men are conditioned and taught since childhood to be strong and not show tears or become vulnerable,” Taneja said. “This makes it even more difficult for them to talk about their struggles. And it leads to depression and anxiety.”

The state of US South Asians’ Mental Health

According to the South Asian Public Health Association,

• 1 in 5 US South Asians report experiencing a mood or anxiety disorder in their lifetime.
• US South Asians often express greater stigma toward mental illness than other groups.
• South Asians commonly experience psychological distress as physical symptoms.
• US South Asian men use alcohol more than women, are at greater risk for alcohol-related health problems, and are less likely to receive alcohol disorder treatment.

“Taking care of my mental health has been important. I regularly take breaks, spend time with loved ones, and practice meditation and breathing techniques. These things help me develop a positive mind.”

Taneja stressed the importance of creating a supportive environment where men feel comfortable sharing their feelings.

Finding a safe pace

That safe space is critical to Ankur Varma and his therapy practice. Varma, a licensed clinical professional counselor, co-founded, with his wife, a non-profit organization called Brown Man Therapy. . Their mission is to advocate for increased dialogue, resources, and education on psychotherapy and mental health care through social media, podcasts, and in-person community-building events. He believes South Asian men are impeded by stereotypes and expectations—often from their parents and family.

“I provide space, space where my clients can process their thoughts and feelings” he says.

Often times, Varma uses less stigmatized topics, such as ADHD, physical health, or communication to dive into deeper conversations around depression, identity, or anxiety with his clients.

In a recent Instagram post, Varma writes “Men who talk, heal. As men, we’re sometimes wired to keep things to ourselves, whether that’s a struggle or an achievement. When we don’t share, we internalize our emotional energy and it has no choice but to come up in unregulated and uncontrolled ways. So, when we share, express, and talk, we allow ourselves a release and more agency over our emotions, mood, and relationships.”

Instagram user @Chiggy.r01 posted a response:

Attending my first event with Brown Man Therapy was a revelation! I never knew such an organization existed, and it’s truly a game changer for our brown community. Mental health often goes unaddressed in our community, and having a dedicated organization advocating for this crucial issue is incredibly impactful.”

When Varma does bring the topic of depression into his sessions with his clients, he works to provide validation. He understands the impact that South Asian families have, particularly on their sons. He will also consult with his clients’ physicians on their medical treatment plans to understand how to provide well-rounded support.

“I want to make sure that my clients are improving,” Varma says. “Medication is one way that they are able to get to mental wellness.”

Medication Treatment Decisions and GeneSight

GeneSight is a genetic test that can help inform your health care provider about genes that may affect how you metabolize or respond to certain medications commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD and other mental health conditions.

Genes are one factor that may impact the way medications work. Each of our unique genetic profiles determine the rate at which our bodies will metabolize certain psychiatric medications. For example, if you are a rapid metabolizer of a medication, you may need a higher dose; if you are a slow metabolizer of a medication, you may need a lower dose.

The results of the GeneSight test can inform your clinician about potential gene-drug interactions that may impact how you metabolize or respond to certain psychiatric medications.

For some patients, the path to a mental health medication that works for them contains trial and error. For those patients, Varma considers talking about the GeneSight test.

“I have had patients tell me about their GeneSight experiences, so I will recommend it to others who are not having success with their medications.”

FOR CLINICIANS: For more information about how GeneSight can support you in your clinical practice, visit our overview page at https://genesight.com/for-clinicians/.

Read More:

Understanding Mental Health in AAPI Communities
July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month: 5 Facts You Didn’t Know About Minorities & Mental Health
Building Trust by Reducing Bias: The GeneSight Test as a Tool for Mental Health Equity

###

Our articles are for informational purposes only and are reviewed by our Medical Information team, which includes PharmDs, MDs, and PhDs. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider.

The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors.

If you are a healthcare provider and interested in learning more about the GeneSight test, please contact us at 855.891.9415. If you are a patient, please talk with your doctor to see if the GeneSight test may be helpful.