As part of the program, Andreazi has visited churches and civic organizations to talk about how immigration can be a risk factor for violence. Recent immigrants struggle with language barriers and cultural shock as they try to adapt to their new country. It's not uncommon they suffer isolation and depression, said Andreazi.

"Immigrants lose all their references," said Andreazi. "They lose status, their family network, and their language and cultural references when they come here. Many end up depressed."

Men who are depressed are more likely to be violent, he often tells those in the audience striking a chord with men and women on hand, said Andreazi. Last Sunday, he talked to 30 couples from the Milford area that gathered at a Holliston church. This Friday, he met with another group at the Brazilian American Association's headquarters in downtown Framingham.

"They know what I'm talking about," he said. "It's their story. They're working too much and don't have time to take care of themselves. They recognize themselves when I talk about the symptoms of depression."

Men tend to be irritable, angry and aggressive, said Andreazi, who has worked with Wayside for the past seven years. Some also have a hard time adapting to the new country and resent their loss of control over the women in their lives, who become more independent here.

"They grow jealous, angry and feel they have lost power and authority," he said. "They don't realize they have to change, just like their women. Brazilian women become new women here, and Brazilian men need to do the same. They have to become new men."

Men tend to hold onto the old country's customs while women adapt to the new country faster than their partners. Brazilian women learn English faster than their partners, said Andreazi.

Over the past nine months, the program has served 66 men, of whom 37 are Brazilians and the rest Americans. Initially the program focused on Brazilian men, but recently began serving American men with workshops offered in English by an American licensed mental health counselor working with Wayside.

After all, domestic violence occurs across all ethnic and racial groups.

According to the 2005 MetroWest Health Data Book & Atlas, which contains health indicators for 25 MetroWest communities, Marlborough and Milford have the highest rates of civil restraining orders compared to other communities. Both Marlborough and Milford have 4.8 restraining orders per 1,000 people, while Framingham has 2.8 per 1,000. The overall state rate is 5.3 per 1,000 people.

"Depression happens to all people," said Andreazi. "We need to reach out to those men, Brazilian, American or Hispanic, before violence happens, before they kill people they love."

For more information, call 508-478-6888, Ext. 15, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

(Staff writer Liz Mineo can be reached at 508-626-3825 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)