Manning up for men's mental illness

Depression is often positioned as a woman's disease, in part due to the recognition of a lower incidence of depression among men compared to women. However, downstream indicators including men's self harm and suicide suggest that depression may be less often diagnosed because men tend to deny illness, self monitor and treat symptoms, and avoid health services or have difficulty engaging care providers. As a result, men's depression, including how to identify and treat it, is poorly understood. This case study highlights some of the more common features of depression in men.