About this session
Depression and anxiety do not always look the way people expect. In men, difficulty may show up through irritability, withdrawal, loss of motivation, disrupted sleep, increased alcohol use, overworking or changes in behavior rather than obvious sadness or visible worry.
Work pressure, financial stress, relationships, health concerns, caring responsibilities and major life changes can all contribute to mental strain.
When symptoms persist, begin affecting daily functioning or feel increasingly difficult to manage, they deserve attention rather than being dismissed as something to simply "push through."
This session explores the signs of depression and anxiety in men, the ways symptoms can overlap and the barriers that can delay help-seeking. Attendees leave with a clearer understanding of what to notice, how to talk about it and when professional support may be appropriate.
What your people take away
- Understand how depression and anxiety can present differently from common stereotypes
- Recognize emotional, physical and behavioral signs that may indicate someone is struggling
- Explore the overlap between depression, anxiety, stress and burnout
- Understand how stigma and expectations around masculinity can delay help-seeking
- Develop greater confidence around talking about symptoms and asking for support
- Leave knowing when persistent or worsening symptoms should move beyond self-management
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What each length covers
30 minutes
30 Minutes — Key Points: Recognize the SignsA focused 30-minute session on three key points from Recognize the Signs: depression doesn't always look like sadness, anxiety can show up physically and notice changes from the usual pattern.
- Depression doesn't always look like sadness
- Anxiety can show up physically
- Notice changes from the usual pattern
Covers 3 of 4 points in Recognize the Signs.
60 minutes
60 Minutes — Module 1The opening module explores how depression and anxiety can show up in men and why some signs are easy to overlook. Attendees examine changes in mood, behavior, sleep, motivation and daily functioning.
- Module 1: Recognize the Signs
- Live Q&A
Covers 1 of 4 parts: Recognize the Signs.
90 minutes
90 Minutes — Modules 1–2The session then looks more closely at depression, anxiety and the ways they can overlap with stress or burnout. Discussion helps attendees distinguish short-term strain from more persistent patterns that may need further support.
- Module 1: Recognize the Signs
- Module 2: Understand Depression, Anxiety and Overlap
- Live Q&A
Covers 2 of 4 parts: Recognize the Signs and Understand Depression, Anxiety and Overlap.
3 hours
Covers 3 of 4 parts: Recognize the Signs, Understand Depression, Anxiety and Overlap and Understand Barriers to Seeking Help.
Full day
Full Day — Modules 1–4The full session adds help-seeking, workplace conversations and practical support. Attendees leave with a broader understanding of both individual symptoms and the workplace factors that can make recognition and earlier support easier.
- Module 1: Recognize the Signs
- Module 2: Understand Depression, Anxiety and Overlap
- Module 3: Understand Barriers to Seeking Help
- Module 4: Build Earlier Support at Work
- Live Q&A
Covers all 4 parts.
What’s covered
Recognize the Signs
Every length- Depression doesn't always look like sadnessThe session begins by exploring how depression can present through low motivation, irritability, withdrawal, loss of interest, difficulty concentrating or changes in sleep and appetite.
- Anxiety can show up physicallyAttention turns to the physical and behavioral signs of anxiety, including restlessness, racing thoughts, tension, poor sleep, avoidance and difficulty switching off.
- Notice changes from the usual patternThe group examines why changes from someone's normal behavior can be more informative than isolated symptoms.
- When function starts to changeThe module closes by looking at what happens when symptoms begin affecting concentration, relationships, attendance, decision-making or everyday responsibilities.
Understand Depression, Anxiety and Overlap
90 minutes and longer- Depression and loss of interestThis section explores low mood, reduced pleasure, hopelessness, fatigue and withdrawal as common features of depression.
- Anxiety and constant threatThe session looks at excessive worry, anticipation, physical tension and the feeling of always needing to stay alert.
- When both show up togetherDepression and anxiety can overlap, and the session examines how low mood, worry, sleep disruption and reduced functioning can reinforce one another.
- Stress, burnout or something more?The group compares temporary work-related strain with symptoms that are broader, more persistent or present across different areas of life.
Understand Barriers to Seeking Help
3 hours and longer- Why men may keep it privateThe session explores how expectations around toughness, independence and self-control can make it harder to acknowledge emotional difficulty.
- Coping strategies that can mask the problemOverworking, withdrawing, increased alcohol use, excessive exercise or constant distraction are discussed as behaviors that may temporarily hide or manage symptoms.
- Talking about symptoms without having the labelThe facilitator explores how someone can describe what has changed without needing to say "I have depression" or "I have anxiety." Practical language around sleep, concentration, motivation, worry and impact makes the conversation more accessible.
- When self-management stops being enoughThe module examines persistent symptoms, worsening function and coping strategies that are no longer helping.
Build Earlier Support at Work
Full day only- Notice change without diagnosingThe final module looks at what colleagues and managers may realistically notice, including changes in behavior, attendance, communication or engagement.
- Start a simple conversationThe session explores how to check in with someone using specific observations and open questions.
- Respond without trying to fix everythingListening, acknowledging and asking what support may help are examined as practical skills.
- Make support easier to accessThe session closes by examining how visible support routes, manager behavior, confidentiality and workplace culture can influence whether people seek help early.
How booking works
- Book online. Create a free Workbliss profile, then pay with session credits, by card or by invoice.
- Pick a date. Choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or book now and set the date later.
- Choose your expert. Within 3 working days, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date.
- We deliver it. Your expert is briefed on your people and goals, then runs the session live online or at your site.
Questions about Depression and Anxiety in Men: Recognizing the Signs
How long is Depression and Anxiety in Men: Recognizing the Signs?
Depression and Anxiety in Men: Recognizing the Signs runs as 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 3 hours or full day. You choose the length when you book. A 30-minute session covers three key points from Recognize the Signs: depression doesn't always look like sadness, anxiety can show up physically and notice changes from the usual pattern. A 60-minute session covers Recognize the Signs in full, with a live Q&A. A 90-minute session adds Understand Depression, Anxiety and Overlap. A 3-hour session adds Understand Barriers to Seeking Help. A full-day session adds Build Earlier Support at Work.
Can Depression and Anxiety in Men: Recognizing the Signs be delivered online or in person?
Yes, both. It runs live online, so every office can join at the same time, or in person at your site, in any country.
How do we book Depression and Anxiety in Men: Recognizing the Signs?
Create a free Workbliss profile with your work email, then open Depression and Anxiety in Men: Recognizing the Signs to see the price for each length and book it. You can pay with session credits, by card or by invoice, and choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or set it later.
Who leads the session?
A vetted Workbliss expert, briefed on your people, culture and goals before the session. After you book, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date within 3 working days, so you can choose who leads it.
Can it be tailored to our company?
Yes. Every session is shaped around your goals, your people and the benefits you already offer, and delivered by experts in your people’s languages.