This study was motivated by concern that depression may be misdiagnosed in African American young men. The purpose of this research was to identify perceptions and expressions of depression among African American young men 18 to 25 years of age through ethnography and participatory research strategies. Twenty-eight young men were recruited through a snowball method as a result of a community partnership. Categories identified from group and individual interviews were stress, police, difference, chilling, coping, depression, and depression as a fact of life. Following analysis, data were taken back to the young men for member checking regarding accuracy of categories.