Mental Health Perceptions in the U.S. and Mexico: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

Mental health awareness has seen significant shifts in recent years, but cross-cultural and regional differences still play a role in how individuals perceive and address their mental well-being. A recent ThinkNow study comparing mental health attitudes and behaviors in the U.S. and Mexico offers valuable insights into how people in both countries navigate their mental health journeys.

Download the report here.

How Did We Do the Cross-Cultural Research?

ThinkNow surveyed 1,550 Americans and 560 Mexicans ages 18+ from late 2024 to early 2025. The survey was conducted online, using sample from ThinkNow’s DigayGane panel. Quotas were set to ensure balanced participation by age, gender, geographic region and socio-economic status in both countries. We broke out the results by Total Americans, Hispanics, Mexicans and generationally in both countries.

How Do People Rate Their Mental Health?

One of the key findings of the report is that approximately three-quarters of adults in both the U.S. and Mexico rate their mental health as "excellent" or "good." However, age plays a crucial role in these self-assessments. Younger generations—Gen Z and Millennials—are more likely to report lower mental health ratings compared to older generations. This trend is consistent across both countries, suggesting that younger individuals may be facing unique stressors that impact their well-being.

Interestingly, U.S. Hispanics rate their mental health slightly higher (79% excellent/good) than the general U.S. population. Gender differences also emerge. In the U.S., men are more likely to rate their mental health as "excellent," whereas in Mexico, women are more likely to do so.

Mental Health Diagnosis and Willingness to Discuss Issues

One of the most notable contrasts in this cross-cultural study is mental health diagnosis rates. Nearly 30% of U.S. respondents reported having been diagnosed with a mental health condition by a healthcare professional, compared to fewer than 20% of U.S. Hispanics and Mexican respondents. The lower diagnosis rate in Mexico may stem from limited access to mental health resources and stronger social stigma surrounding mental health discussions.

When it comes to discussing mental health with professionals, U.S. respondents—both in the general population and among Hispanics—have become more comfortable doing so compared to previous years. In contrast, Mexican adults report lower levels of comfort, potentially due to stigma and reduced accessibility to mental health services.

Work and Relationships: The Impact of Mental Health

Mental health challenges can profoundly affect various aspects of life, particularly work and personal relationships. Around 30% of respondents in both countries report that their mental health has impacted their professional and personal lives to some degree. However, Gen Z workers in the U.S. are twice as likely as their Mexican counterparts to state that their mental health has significantly affected their work performance.

Self-Care Practices: What Are People Doing?

Amid growing mental health awareness, self-care practices have become a common coping strategy. About half of respondents in both countries report engaging in self-care activities, with exercise being the most popular choice. However, other practices such as meditation, journaling, and using mental health apps are notably more common in the U.S. than in Mexico. This cross-cultural difference may reflect variations in cultural approaches to mental well-being and the availability of digital mental health tools.

Where Do People Seek Mental Health Information?

The search for mental health resources differs between the two countries. Surprisingly, Mexicans are more likely than Americans to seek out mental health information, with about half reporting that they have done so in the past 12 months. Social media is a particularly important source of mental health information for Mexicans, whereas Americans rely more on websites, personal doctors, and family and friends.

The Availability of Mental Health Resources

Access to mental health services remains a challenge in both the U.S. and Mexico, though the availability of resources varies. The most widely available resources in both countries include counseling centers or therapists, online information, and community support groups. However, crisis intervention services and hotlines are less common in Mexico, potentially limiting urgent support options for those in need. Mexicans are also half as likely to seek information from friends and family about mental health than Americans.

Final Thoughts: Bridging the Mental Health Gap

The ThinkNow report highlights critical cross-cultural and structural differences in mental health perceptions and accessibility between the U.S. and Mexico. While both countries recognize the importance of mental well-being, younger generations, in particular, are struggling with their mental health. Of particular interest is the difference in how mental health is experienced by generation and gender in the two countries. Why are American women less likely to say their mental health is good compared to American men or women in Mexico? Regardless, the key challenge moving forward is increasing accessibility to mental health resources, reducing stigma, and encouraging open conversations—especially in regions where discussing mental health remains taboo.

By understanding these cross-cultural differences, policymakers, mental health professionals, and community leaders can work toward creating more inclusive and effective mental health support systems. Whether through expanding digital resources, increasing the affordability of services, or promoting workplace mental health initiatives, there is much each country can learn from the other to ensure that mental health care is accessible to everyone.

Download the report here.