In an interesting article titled Depression’s Machismo Mask … by Melissa Healy Los Angeles Times she refers to “melancholy on steroids — a muscular mixture of fast-driving, heavy drinking, hard-charging cussedness.”
Facts about men and depression you may not be aware of: 
1. Approximately 3 million American men yearly suffer depression.
2. Almost 24,000 men yearly take their lives because of depression.
3. Often there are few warning signals that people recognize when depression strikes and knocks men out of the race.
4. Few men are diagnosed with depression … and the cues are missed by people who could help them
5. Depression costs men in terms substance-abuse statistics and shattered communities.
6. Some depressed men lose sexual interest, but others may become wildly promiscuous.
7. Depressed men describe sleep troubles, fatigue, headaches or stomach distress — but rarely recognize or describe depression.
8. Depressed men are more likely to bully … fly into rage … drink too much … or accuse those around them of failing them.
9. It’s embarrassing to be sad … for many men … and the difference between being sad and lazy is hard to distinguish.
10. Neither tears nor indolence are seen to be manly virtues.
11. Depression takes away the man’s masculinity
12. A few influential male sufferers … such as business mogul Philip E. Burguieres … recently broke their silence and that helped to put a face on male depression.
13. Suicide-prevention hotlines are available around the clock, 
including the National Hopeline Network at (800) 784-2433 and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.
Do you know a depressed male who could use encouragement to seek professional help?
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