Think He's Depressed? Ask His Wife

A male client's wife or partner may sometimes confide her concern to you that he is depressed, noted Terry Real, a family and couples therapist in Arlington, Mass., who focuses on men's issues.

"Many depressed men who come to me are what I call 'wife-mandated referrals,'" he said. "And many times it's the wife who will be responsible for her partner getting the assistance he needs. Do your best to empower that woman to insist on her man getting help."