More Than a Fashion Show: How Carmen Martinez Is Rewriting the Conversation Around Mental Health for Men & Teens of Color

Written By Guest User

Photo: Courtesy of Carmen Martinez

"We want men to be seen. We want men to be heard. We want to be the beacon that says you can overcome a struggle." — Carmen Martinez

For most people, a fashion show is about style, creativity, and the latest trends. For Carmen Martinez, fashion became something much more profound—it became a vehicle to save lives.

Martinez, a Houston-based fashion producer and longtime advocate for mental health awareness, didn't set out to build one of the city's most recognizable mental health-centered fashion events. She was simply trying to find healing after experiencing one of life's greatest tragedies: losing one of her closest friends to suicide.

"My friend was my biggest cheerleader," Martinez recalls. "She supported every audition, every fashion show, every dream I had. After she passed away, I found healing through fitness."

What began as personal grief gradually evolved into purpose.

Having modeled since she was 16 years old, fashion had always been part of her identity. Fitness became another source of strength, introducing her to people who openly discussed depression, body image, trauma, and recovery. She realized these worlds weren't separate—they were deeply connected.

"The swimwear represented celebration," she explains. "It was about body positivity, hope, and honoring my friend. Fashion was already part of my life. Mental health became part of my mission."

When Grief Became Advocacy

Photo: SPTUSA

As Martinez reflected on her friend's struggles, she recognized something larger than one tragic story.

Her friend had experienced a painful relationship, one that preceded a bipolar disorder diagnosis and ultimately changed the course of her life. While Martinez is careful not to oversimplify mental illness or suggest that one event causes suicide, she began asking difficult questions about emotional trauma, relationships, and the silent burdens people carry.

That reflection eventually expanded into an unexpected focus: men's mental health.

"I started learning more about Black and Latino men," Martinez says. "Many aren't going to the doctor. Many aren't talking about depression. They're taught to hold everything inside."

Those observations mirror national trends.

Photo: Courtesy of Carmen Martinez

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and men account for nearly 80% of all suicide deaths. Research also shows that suicide rates among Black Americans have risen significantly over the past decade, with young Black males experiencing some of the fastest increases. Latino men also face unique cultural barriers that can discourage seeking professional mental health care, including stigma surrounding emotional vulnerability. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) have highlighted the importance of culturally responsive mental health services for communities of color.

Photo: Courtesy of Carmen Martinez

Challenging the Narrative

Martinez believes one of the greatest obstacles isn't simply depression—it's perception.

Social media often amplifies stories that portray Black and Latino men through the lens of violence, conflict, or crisis. While those stories generate attention, they rarely reflect the everyday reality of men quietly navigating anxiety, grief, financial stress, family responsibilities, or loneliness.

"I've met amazing Black men and Latino men who are thriving," Martinez says. "Everybody struggles in some way. We have to stop acting like asking for help is weakness."

Instead of reinforcing stereotypes, Martinez intentionally invites men who have overcome adversity to share their experiences publicly.

"I want people to hear real stories," she says. "Stories that say, 'I've struggled too, and I made it through.'"

Storytelling That Saves Lives

Photo: SA Federation of Mental Health

Each event Martinez produces blends fashion, fitness, entrepreneurship, and wellness with licensed therapists, nutritionists, health professionals, and suicide prevention organizations.

Guests may come expecting a runway show.

They often leave having met a therapist.

One year, a licensed therapist quietly approached attendees during a photo activation simply to introduce himself and let guests know help was available if they ever needed it.

"People opened up," Martinez says. "Sometimes all someone needs is permission to start the conversation."

That philosophy extends beyond the runway.

Her events regularly partner with organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and National Alliance on Mental Illness, connecting attendees with free educational resources, support groups, and crisis information.

"I found AFSP three years after losing my friend," she says. "If I didn't know those resources existed, imagine how many other people don't."

Living Your Light

Photo: Freepik

Each year, Martinez develops a new theme for her event.

This year's message is simple but powerful: Living Your Light.

The theme encourages attendees to celebrate healing, embrace wellness, and recognize that hope often begins with a single conversation.

"I want people to leave knowing there's always hope," Martinez says. "No matter how alone someone feels, there's always someone willing to listen."

It's a reminder that healing doesn't always begin inside a therapist's office.

Sometimes it begins with a runway.

Sometimes it begins with a conversation.

Sometimes it begins when someone simply says, 'Me too.'

If You or Someone You Know Needs Help

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of suicide, confidential support is available 24 hours a day.

As Martinez puts it:

"We all struggle with our mental health. The more we talk about it, the more lives we can save."

Photo: Instagram

























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