DEPRESSION IN MEN, It’s not a sign of weakness.

MEN GET DEPRESSED, DEPRESSION IS A THIEF.

It’s an illness that can rob you of your will to live. It can also steal:

The pleasure from things that used to give you joy.
Your physical energy and strength.
Your connections to friends and family.
Your ability to handle stress.

There are many misconceptions about depression that make it difficult for men to talk to others and take charge of their health.

THE MYTHS:

Depression is a sign of weakness.

Real Men are in control of their emotions and don't let things get to them.

Feeling sad or down is not manly.

Anyone with enough willpower ought to be able to snap out of it.

Men should not ask for help; they should be able to cope on their own.

THE REALITY:

Depression is a real illness.

Real strength is facing whatever challenges arise.

Sadness is an emotion all humans feel, including men.

Depression isn't overcome by willpower alone, you have to learn and acquire new skills and tools to beat it.

Asking others for direction and guidance really means taking control and its the smartest thing you can do.

Because of these myths, men will often talk about feeling angry or irritable rather than sad or down. These myths can also feel like handcuffs for men, preventing them from reaching out to others for even a little support.

This contributes to many men not seeking support until their depression is very severe, if at all. This can place men at an increased risk of taking their own lives – the greatest risk factor for suicide is untreated depression.

MEN ARE TAKING ACTION

Fortunately, more and more men, including professional athletes, musicians, actors, lawyers, businessmen, writers, tradesmen, teachers, men in the military, and everyone in between, are ‘going public’ about depression and taking control of their health.

The myths are breaking down, freeing guys to talk about and tackle their depression.

DEPRESSION CAN BE TREATED

ignoring or hiding the pain of depression only makes things worse. Heads Up Guys provide you with tips and tools, information about professional services, and stories of success that show you how depression can be overcome.

It starts with you recognizing depression and then making important changes in your life to overcome it. It takes courage. It takes strength. It takes work. But know that it can be done.