Male depression and coping skills

Treatment, including psychotherapy, with a mental health professional can help you learn healthy coping skills. These may include:

• Goals. Set realistic goals and prioritize tasks.
• Support. Seek out emotional support from a partner or family or friends. Learn strategies for making social connections so that you can get involved in social activities.
• Coping. Learn ways to manage stress, such as meditation and mindfulness, and develop problem-solving skills.
• Decisions. Delay making important decisions, such as changing jobs, until your depression symptoms improve.
• Activities. Engage in activities you typically enjoy, such as ball games, fishing or a hobby.
• Health. Try to stick to a regular schedule and make healthy lifestyle choices, including healthy eating and regular physical activity, to help promote better mental health.

Many effective treatments are available for depression. So don't try to tough out male depression on your own — the consequences could be devastating.