Men’s Mental Health with Augusto Blanco
June is Men’s Mental Health Month, and at Aliento, we recognize the unique challenges that male students and Dreamers face when it comes to mental health. From cultural stigma to the pressure of carrying family responsibilities, many young men, especially those from immigrant and mixed-status families, struggle in silence.
That’s why we’re sharing a special collaboration with Augusto Blanco, a bilingual Clinical Psychologist, expert in working with men’s issues, masculinity, and gender. In this blog, he offers reflections on how we can show up for men facing fear, stigma, and a profound sense of responsibility, and how together, we can continue to build pathways for community-rooted healing.
As a bilingual male therapist, what inspired you to do this work, especially supporting men?
A big part of what brought me to this work is personal. Ever since I was a teenager, I struggled with the same pressures many men face. I had to be perfect, to always be capable, to hold everything together for others, to keep my pain inside, and to somehow just "know" how to be responsible, confident, and emotionally fluent without ever being taught. I experienced a lot of inner conflict, suffering, and relational issues because of that. Thankfully, with good internal resources, supportive friendships, and some luck, I was able to navigate it and build a life I enjoy. But I see I’m the exception: many of my peers, even those older than me, are still stuck in those same patterns with no real path out. That’s why I do this work: to help build the tools and bridges that society never gave us.
From your experience, how do men tend to cope with these difficult experiences, and how does the idea of masculinity shape those responses?
For many men, especially those raised to be “the strong one,” situations like these bring an intense internal burden. They often feel personally responsible for any negative situation that happens. If they had done more, been better, or acted differently, the outcome could have been prevented. That guilt and self-blame can trigger shame, anxiety, and anger toward themselves. I often see two main patterns happening because of this: first, harsh self-criticism, where they mentally punish themselves with thoughts like “you’re worthless” or “you failed everyone.” This leads to poor sleep, low self-esteem, and emotional exhaustion. Second, they often seek what I call “external regulators,” which are ways to self-soothe without the emotional tools they were never taught. That might look like excessive screen time, isolating themselves, or throwing themselves into nonstop work. Anything to calm the system temporarily, even if they don’t solve the root of the pain.
What are some ways loved ones can build trust and create a space where men feel safe opening up, especially when they feel pressure to hold everything together?
It’s important to understand that asking a man to “open up” when he’s already overwhelmed and in survival mode can sometimes backfire. His instincts may resist that level of vulnerability. Instead of pushing for emotional disclosure, offering consistent signals of trust, warmth, and support through tone, body language, presence, and respect goes a long way. Simple acts like physical touch (a handshake, a shoulder pat, a hug) with intention and meaning, words of appreciation (“I see everything you’re doing and I’m grateful”), and making space for him to just be without pressure can go a long way. When a man feels respected, valued, and not alone, his nervous system begins to relax—and that’s when real emotional sharing can start to feel possible.
Cultural stigma and language barriers can make it hard for men in our community to reach out for help. What have you seen that usually encourages men to seek professional help?
What helps most is offering concrete solutions to specific problems (and then delivering real results). Most men come to therapy after trying for a long time to solve something on their own. What often changes their perspective is understanding that therapy doesn’t have to mean sitting in silence, feeling sad, and talking endlessly about emotions. I frame it more like a gym: just like we train physical muscles at the gym, in therapy, we train mental and emotional muscles to handle life more effectively. When men see that the therapist can act like a coach—someone who explains what to do, stays by their side, and helps them grow—they’re more open to trying it and staying committed to the process.
What advice would you give to other male therapists (especially bilingual or bicultural) working with men in mixed-status families?
My advice is clear: adopt a more direct therapeutic style, study parts work, and read papers about masculinities. These three tools have been crucial in my work with men. I don’t just work with male clients who are also therapists. I also supervise other clinicians, and I’ve seen firsthand how much these shifts improve outcomes. When therapists apply these ideas, they start seeing real progress with clients they previously struggled to reach. It changes everything from rapport-building to long-term results. I can confidently say this approach works—and works well.
Even with all the challenges, men often show incredible strength and resilience. What community-based resources, traditions, or practices have you seen help uplift and support their mental health?
I’ve seen that many activities traditionally associated with masculinity can actually serve as strong support for self-esteem and emotional well-being. Some of my clients find release and grounding through things like going to the gym or engaging in sports: spaces where they can not only let off steam but also train qualities like healthy competitiveness, perseverance, and self-confidence. Shared social activities (like having a meal or even playing video games with other men) can help foster connection, a sense of belonging, and mutual strength. One example I really like is Men’s Sheds, a global organization with locations in several U.S. states, where men get together to do hands-on work like carpentry, metalwork, or leathercraft while also building strong bonds and gradually opening up about their struggles and goals. These types of spaces can be profoundly healing and empowering.
At Aliento, we know that healing isn’t something people should have to do alone. We’re grateful to Augusto Blanco for his perspective as a bilingual male therapist. Together, we can continue to transform trauma into hope and action for the well-being of our community.
For Know Your Rights and Mental Health resources, please visit alientoaz.org/resources.