Grace Under Pressure: Changing What Male Depression Means
Men Should Admit Depression and Seek Help, Experts Say
Converting Cowardice to Courage
Lappen confessed his intent to kill himself to the counselor he was seeing, after which he admitted himself to a hospital.
"I had a realization that there was still a significant life force in me that did not want to cash out," Lappen said. "I thought I still had some talent and wanted to give myself a chance. But there are still times when I regret not following through."
While there are no studies to confirm whether the reported rates of depression in men are rising, clinicians say they have seen an increase, many of which are in the context of job losses.
"Losing a job is something anyone can understand, which makes it more acceptable to talk about it," Cook said. "It opens the door for people to learn about depression and to get help and that kind of direction can be a good thing."
Awareness and acceptance can go a long way to removing the stigma of male depression, but the illness is still viewed by many as a character flaw.
"How do you convert weakness to courage? You have to use the language of courage," Lappen said. "Asking for help means you are a social being and you're looking to fortify yourself. ... Convince [the depressed] person that asking for help is not weakness but is a sign of strength."
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