In this episode of the "Giving Voice to Depression" podcast, we introduce guest Paul Marlow, who shares his journey through depression and mental health challenges. Paul, an athletic and confident individual, experienced a significant decline in his mental health after a series of traumatic events starting in 2017. He describes grappling with PTSD, anxiety, and profound feelings of emptiness, detailing how these conditions often went unnoticed by those around him.Paul's story highlights the stigma associated with mental illness, as he illustrates how his outward appearance contradicted his internal struggles. He candidly recounts moments of despair, such as crying in the shower and feeling a complete lack of joy for years. Despite these challenges, Paul emphasizes the importance of honesty, both with oneself and others, in the healing process.Throughout the discussion, Paul reflects on the transformative nature of his experience, acknowledging that while it was difficult, it ultimately led to personal growth and a deeper understanding of himself. He credits his recovery to establishing a morning routine, focusing on nutrition, exercise, and therapy, which helped him regain confidence and manage his mental health more effectively.The episode concludes with an acknowledgment of the importance of open conversations about mental health and an invitation for listeners to learn more about Paul's methods in a future episode. Overall, the discussion aims to normalize the experience of depression and encourage individuals to seek help and share their stories.Learn more about Paul and the resources he's created: https://weareneveralone.co/

In the podcast episode "The Importance of Baby Steps," Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz discuss the profound journey of Jenni, a guest who battled nearly a decade of persistent depression following a series of traumatic life events. The conversation highlights the overwhelming nature of depression, which can make even small steps seem daunting. Jenni recounts her struggles, including chronic pain, the loss of loved ones, and a deteriorating marriage, emphasizing how these factors compounded her depression.The episode emphasizes the significance of taking "baby steps" towards recovery, which Jenni began to implement as she sought to reclaim her life. Despite the challenges, she focused on small, manageable actions—such as reading uplifting memoirs, attending social events, and engaging in creative pursuits—that gradually helped her regain hope and energy. Ultimately, Jenni shares how these incremental efforts led her to a breakthrough, symbolized by finding a new home she refers to as her "house of peace."Throughout the discussion, Terry and Anita stress the importance of self-care and maintaining hope, particularly for those currently struggling with depression. They highlight that while recovery is a long and challenging process, it is possible through consistent, small actions. The episode concludes with a message of encouragement, underscoring that joy and peace can emerge even after prolonged periods of darkness, and that listeners should believe in their potential for healing.Jenni's Facebook page- Barefoot, Brave and Bold:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565516246115

"Living Every Day with the Monster of Depression" features a candid conversation with guest Didi Hairston, who shares about her lifelong struggle with depression. Didi refers to her depression as "The Monster," a metaphor she uses to illustrate the pervasive and often overwhelming nature of her illness. She discusses her early experiences with depression stemming from childhood trauma, her experience with postpartum depression after the births of her children, and her ongoing battle with severe major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression.Didi emphasizes the importance of recognizing the complexity of living with chronic depression, explaining that she often functions in this darkness while raising her children and managing her life and businesses. She advocates for open conversations about mental health, particularly within black and brown communities, stressing that it's okay to seek therapy and medication rather than relying solely on faith or prayer for healing.Through her online platform as the "Diva with Depression," Didi aims to normalize  conversations about chronic mental illness as she offers support, and help others who may feel isolated in their struggles. The episode highlights the duality of experiencing moments of joy while living with depression, the challenges of loneliness, and the need for collective responsibility in supporting those facing mental health challenges. Ultimately, it conveys a message of hope and understanding, acknowledging that even in the depths of depression, one can find ways to cope and function.Link to more information on Didi Hairston and her mental health advocacy: https://www.divawithdepression.com/my-story

In the podcast episode titled "Recovering from the Trauma of a Natural Disaster," hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz welcome Tara Pyfrom, who shares her harrowing experience during Hurricane Dorian in 2019, which devastated her family’s home in the Bahamas. Tara recounts the terrifying moments when she and her family (she, her wife, their 6-year-old daughter and 5 dogs) sought refuge in their attic as rising floodwaters threatened their lives. Tara has faced significant challenges in dealing with PTSD and depression in the aftermath. She emphasizes the importance of finding ways to process trauma, including writing and therapy, which played a critical role in her recovery. While still grappling with the impacts of her experience, Tara shares that she has found happiness again, illustrating that healing from trauma is a gradual journey that requires patience and continuous steps forward. The episode encourages listeners to acknowledge their struggles, seek help, and embrace creative outlets as tools for healing.to follow.A link to Tara's website with information about her book: https://tarapyfrom.com/about-me

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz revisit an interview with Bob, a suicide attempt survivor who shares his profound journey from despair to hope. The episode is particularly timely as it concludes Suicide Prevention Month.Bob recounts his past struggles with depression and a suicide attempt. He describes how he felt like a burden to those around him and how his struggles seemed insurmountable. An impactful turning point came when he was unexpectedly touched by the compassion of a nurse who showed him genuine care and support during his recovery in the hospital. This experience made Bob reconsider his worth and helped lead him to a path of healing.The episode highlights Bob’s commitment to recovery, including his intensive therapy regimen and personal growth. He emphasizes the importance of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, and the value of maintaining a routine and reaching out for support when needed.Bob's story underscores that recovery is possible and that even after a suicide attempt, one can find fulfillment and happiness. The episode concludes with Terry and Anita reflecting on Bob's journey and the crucial messages of hope, support, and self-worth that it conveys.The podcast serves as a reminder of the importance of discussing mental health openly and seeking help, reinforcing that recovery is possible and that each person deserves to live a fulfilling life despite their struggles.Post-Hospitalization Risks episode referenced: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2032100/13540572

The podcast episode "Recovery is Worth the Hard Work" from Giving Voice to Depression highlights Renee's personal journey of overcoming childhood trauma and depression through extensive emotional and psychological work. Co-hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz introduce the episode by emphasizing the importance of sharing lived experiences to offer hope for those suffering from depression.Renee, who was first featured on this podcast five years prior, reflects on her transformation over the past decade, focusing on group therapy, art therapy, and the hard emotional labor of facing past trauma. She explains how group therapy, where participants share similar experiences, provided validation and support. Art therapy also allowed her to express emotions for which words were insufficient.Renee candidly discusses how depression, especially in her younger years, led to suicidal ideation and an attempt that resulted in hospitalization. Today, however, she emphasizes that while recovery is difficult, it is possible through hard work. Renee explains how her life and mindset have dramatically shifted, moving from a place of passivity and masking her emotions to becoming confident and proactive in her mental health. She acknowledges that depression can make hope seem distant, but insists that change and healing are achievable if individuals commit to the necessary effort.The episode stresses that recovery requires consistent work, whether through therapy, boundaries, or other forms of self-care. Renee uses the metaphor of cleaning out a messy closet—healing can be chaotic and painful, but the result is worth the effort. She also notes that her mental health improvements have positively impacted her physical health, highlighting the mind-body connection.The hosts end by emphasizing that recovery isn't about simply overcoming depression but about actively working toward change. Through Renee’s story, they encourage listeners to recognize that while the journey is challenging, the reward is a better, healthier life.Renee's earlier episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2032100/13540497

If you wrote a song, in the depths of depression -- about your depression-- what would it sound like?Singer/songwriter Demetra Prochaska wrote a hauntingly beautiful song called "i am not okay," that is both a call for help and a musical tribute to the depths of depression's darkness.Demetra shares her experience with depression, which began in her early teens, coinciding with her parents' divorce. She talks about her struggles, including a ten-month stay in a residential treatment center and the challenges she faced during the pandemic in 2020.The episode highlights Demetra's coping mechanisms, such as seeking help from trusted adults and learning to check in with herself daily. Her journey is also expressed through her music, particularly the song she shares here, capturing her raw emotions during a dark period. Demetra's journey emphasizes the importance of reaching out for support, the power of feeling heard, and the therapeutic value of music. It concludes with a full play of "i am not okay," offering listeners a poignant reflection on the realities of living with depression.To hear more of Demetra's music, check out her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCijatOUHQY9g-hjS4_mBzqQ

This episode of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast, titled "Dude, You're Depressed!," features Ted Perry, a television news anchor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, sharing his personal experience with depression. Ted initially hesitated to listen to this podcast, fearing it would be depressing. However, after researching it for a story, he began to reflect on his own struggles and the value of sharing our stories. Ted discusses his long battle with depression, which he believes began in his late teens. He shares how he resisted seeking help initially, despite encouragement from a friend, but eventually sought therapy after his father's death. Therapy and medication became crucial tools in his recovery, allowing him to manage his depression.Ted emphasizes the importance of hope, protective factors like exercise, pets, and faith, and the need to build a personal toolbox of coping strategies. He also talks about the stigma surrounding depression and how it caused him to hide his struggles for years, leading to regrets about lost time and missed relationships.Throughout the episode, Ted stresses that depression is not a character flaw, and he encourages others to seek help and maintain hope during their darkest times. The podcast aims to provide comfort, understanding, and hope to those affected by depression.

In this episode of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast, hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz explore the topic of postpartum depression (PPD) from the perspective of a partner, Justin, whose wife Kristen experienced PPD after the births of their two children. The discussion highlights how unrecognized PPD can go untreated, as was the case with Kristen’s first episode. The hosts emphasize that PPD is a common but often unspoken condition that can have severe impacts if not addressed.Justin shares his journey of realizing something was wrong with his wife after their second child was born. Initially, neither of them recognized the signsof PPD, attributing Kristen's symptoms to "baby blues." However, when her symptoms persisted, Justin gently suggested that she seek help by first offering to be evaluated himself, which ultimately led to Kristen's diagnosis. Justin's approach is praised as sensitive and supportive, demonstrating how partners can play a crucial role in recognizing and addressing PPD.The episode underscores the importance of awareness and education for partners and family members in identifying PPD symptoms, which often go unspoken due to stigma or lack of knowledge. Justin's experience is used to encourage others to ask the right questions and offer support without judgment.The podcast also touches on the broader issue of women's mental health during hormonal transitions, such as menopause, and stresses the need for better communication and support systems. The episode concludes with practical advice for caregivers, including encouraging new mothers to get screened for PPD.Related links: https://www.familyaware.org/EPDS/https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9312-postpartum-depressionhttps://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/postpartum-mood-disorders-what-new-moms-need-to-know

A psychiatrist who has treated more than 3,000 people with depression, says it's time to re-frame how we characterize, treat and view people with depression. The current way is not only stigmatizing and potentially dangerous, but flat-out wrong in his experience.In fact, Dr. Tim Cantopher says he views depression as "the curse of the strong!"Cantopher writes: "It's strong people who are most vulnerable to it (depression); people whose standards are high, whose ethics are powerful, who want their lives to be meaningful. Strong people, like you."Learn more in this 19-minute episode.   Link to Dr. Cantopher's book if you're interested in learning more: Depressive Illness: The Curse Of The Strong: The Curse of the Strong (3rd Edition): Cantopher, Tim: 9781847092359: Amazon.com: Books

In this episode of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast, co-hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz engage in a meaningful discussion with their guest, Sean, about his experiences with anxiety and depression. Sean shares his journey, starting with being diagnosed as a teenager and growing up in a household that openly acknowledged and addressed mental health issues. His candidness about his mental health struggles, including his use of medication and therapy, sets the stage for a broader conversation on how the younger generation handles mental health.Sean's upbringing in a mental health-aware environment, particularly due to his mother's understanding and lived experiences with anxiety, allowed him to discuss his own struggles without shame. He emphasizes the importance of being honest about mental health with trusted individuals and how social media has facilitated more open conversations about these topics.Sean's narrative also highlights the supportive dynamics within his friend group, where they accommodate each other's mental health needs and foster an environment of empathy and care. This approach contrasts with the experiences of previous generations and underscores a positive cultural shift towards greater acceptance and support for mental health issues.Throughout the episode, Terry and Anita reflect on the evolving understanding of mental health, from stigma to education and empathy, and the importance of inclusion and support. The conversation with Sean serves as a hopeful example of how openly addressing mental health can lead to deeper connections and a more compassionate society.

People with heart problems do not wait for a heart attack to address them.People with diabetes do not rely solely on an EpiPen to control their illness. And people with mental health challenges cannot wait until suicidal thoughts necessitate emergency actions. Self-care and depression-management involve tuning in with your changing thoughts/moods, establishing and using a safety plan and personalized tools that work for you.No illness is easier to treat when it's an emergency.https://988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/https://qz.com/1381952/suicide-hotlines-really-do-save-lives-i-know-because-one-saved-mine/

Suicide prevention hotlines are available 24/7, ensuring there is always somewhere and someone you can turn to when in crisis. That does not mean there is no one in your life who would help, though it may mean depression has convinced you that's the case. Corinne Purtill credits the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline with saving her life, and she's speaking up so that we'll know the bottom does not need to mean the end. That line, now called the 988 Lifeline, has changed from its former 800-number to the easier to remember 3-digit number, 9-8-8 in the U.S. and Canada. You can text or chat to the number, if you prefer that to calling.https://988lifeline.org/https://988lifeline.org/chat/https://qz.com/1381952/suicide-hotlines-really-do-save-lives-i-know-because-one-saved-mine/

Looking for a new mental-health management tool?How about a creative one that "gets the ugly out" while maintaining your privacy?Our guest, Gina Barry, tells us how she modified the practice of writing "morning pages" into a more-private, freeing and effective way to get the darkness, depression and grief out of her head.Gina says giving your feelings a voice helps them not just sit there, on a repetitive loop. In just 20 minutes, you'll learn a new technique that could help you manage your depression and other mental-health challenges. Gina's site and two books mentioned in episode: https://www.ginabarry.com/https://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/morning-pages/https://www.amazon.com/29-Gifts-Month-Giving-Change/dp/0738214302

The podcast episode 316 titled "" Childhood Trauma and Depression- An Undeniable Link" features a conversation with Renee, who shares her journey of overcoming depression rooted in early childhood trauma (Adverse Childhood Experiences - ACEs). Renee discusses her difficult past, which included self-harming, risky behaviors, and a lack of effective support from traditional therapy methods. Her turning point came when a judge recognized her underlying issues and directed her to therapy, leading to the disclosure of long-term sexual abuse by a relative.Renee emphasizes the need for each individual to find the right type of therapy for them. Hers included group and art therapies, which allowed her to connect with others who had similar experiences, providing her with validation and support. She highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of trauma to alleviate depression and advocates for the value of peer support in group therapy.The episode concludes with a "Survivor's Manifesto" by Dr. Peter Levine, offering comforting affirmations to survivors of trauma. The hosts, Terry and Bridget, reinforce the message that recovery is possible and encourage listeners to seek help and support, emphasizing that one's feelings are valid and that they are not alone in their struggles.

In "Setting a Time Limit for Depression," guest Matt Zinman, who has extensive personal experience with depression and other mental illness in his family. Matt shares his strategies for managing and overcoming depression, emphasizing his 3-Day Rule. This rule suggests that while a couple of down days can be manageable, by the third day, "purposeful action" is required to prevent sinking deeper into depression.Matt explains his "mood scale," which helps individuals recognize their emotional state and take appropriate action to maintain or regain mental health. He highlights the importance of sleep, nutrition, hydration, minimizing stress, avoiding negativity, staying active, and reaching out to others, even when tempted to isolate. Exercise, structure, and engaging in joyful activities are critical components of his plan.Matt also stresses the value of self-kindness and "earned confidence," which come from recognizing one's resilience and capability to handle life's challenges. He advises having a list of positive traits and activities that bring joy, to refer to during difficult times. The episode ends with a call to practice self-kindness and support each other in their mental health journeys.

314-A Family History of Mental Illness (rerun), from Giving Voice to Depression,  delves into the intricate relationship between genetics and mental disorders. It looks at how genetic susceptibility and environmental factors interplay in the development of mental health issues.The guest, Matt Zinman, shares his personal story of growing up with a bipolar father and a depressive mother who survived a suicide attempt. His candid reflections highlight the confusion and anger he felt as a child and the lasting impact of his mother's attempt on their relationship. Matt also discusses his own battles with depression, including a critical episode in his early twenties and the ongoing struggle with medication management, which once led to severe suicidal ideation.Tragedy struck Matt's family again in 2012 with the death of his brother, who struggled with opioid addiction. Matt expresses his complex emotions of anger and understanding towards his brother's death, drawing parallels to his feelings about his mother.The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing and navigating the complex emotions associated with mental illness, such as anger, love, and guilt. https://mattzinman.com/https://mattzinman.com/moodhealth/

About a third of all people experiencing mental illnesses and about half of people living with severe mental illnesses also experience substance use disorders. "These statistics are mirrored in the populations of people living with substance use disorders. where about a third of all alcohol abusers and more than half of all drug abusers report experiencing a mental illness," according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. That statistic, like all statistics, is about real people. Not numbers. This episode's guest, Donald, is one of those people. And he shares his story of dual diagnosis- living with substance use disorder in addition to depression and anxiety.  NAMI re: dual diagnosis: www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Me…l-Diagnosis-FS.pdf

In episode 312 of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast, hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz continue their discussion with Jeanie, the mother of Jake Possemato, who died by suicide at 26. They delve into Jake's life, his struggles with mental health from a young age, and his involvement in the car drifting community. Jeanie recounts how Jake's passion for drifting and the tight-knit car community have become integral in raising awareness for mental health and honoring Jake’s memory and caring heart.The hashtag #checkonyourfriends has become a powerful reminder for people to look out for one another. Jeanie highlights the impact of these stickers and her family’s other efforts to raise mental health awareness, which have spread worldwide, symbolizing a movement of hope and support.The episode emphasizes the importance of community and unconditional love in combating depression. Jeanie and her husband use funds raised from Rio Bash to provide financial assistance to those struggling, covering necessities like rent, groceries, and therapy. This approach reflects Jeanie’s belief in paying it forward and creating a supportive network for those in need.Terry and Dr. Anita discuss the contagious nature of hope and the significance of simple gestures, such as supportive messages, in making a difference. They also stress the value of feeling heard and loved, and the necessity of fighting the negative messages that depression can bring. The episode concludes with a reminder of the importance of checking on friends and offering support to those struggling with mental health issues.

In this episode of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast, hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz talk with Jeanie, a mother who lost her son Jake to suicide. Jeanie recounts Jake's life, highlighting his exceptional intelligence and deep compassion from a young age, contrasted with his struggles with depression, anxiety, and later bipolar disorder. Jake's mental health battles were profound, starting as early as age seven when he expressed feelings of the world being too heavy for him. Jeanie shares the emotional toll of living in constant worry, trying to support Jake while respecting his independence. Despite their best efforts and open communication, Jake ultimately took his own life.The episode poignantly illustrates that even with the most attentive care and close connections, sometimes a loved one may still end their life.  Jeanie now advocates for mental health awareness through the #checkonyourfriends campaign, encouraging open conversations to support those in need.The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing mental health struggles while recognizing the limitations and challenges faced by caregivers. 

What is "normal"? That can be a  tricky question for anyone, since our normal is always different than someone else's and our normal changes, depending on a variety of factors. But depression can make us believe that other people are normal and that we are not. And that belief can make the dark, heavy days when we "just can't" seem like personal failures vs. like sick days, which is what we'd likely think with any other illness that stopped us in our tracks."When You Don’t Feel 'Normal' Because of Your Depression", a 16-minute episode, features Tara, who has struggled with depression and anxiety since childhood. Tara shares about her journey, starting with panic attacks at age four after a traumatic car accident. She describes the relief of finally identifying her symptoms as panic attacks and depression during her teenage years- an understanding she gained from an infomercial-- not a doctor or mental health provider.Tara recounts how her ongoing battle with depression and anxiety has impacted her education, family life, and employment. She highlights the importance of asking for help and the comfort of having supportive people who can simply be present. Tara emphasizes redefining "normal" and celebrating small victories in daily life, such as completing simple tasks. The episode concludes with messages of encouragement to speak up about mental health struggles and support others who are going through tough times.

If any part of you thinks that people with depression are weak, buckle up.In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we hear about the mental health journey of NFL Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins who, despite his success on the field, faced a profound battle with depression. Dawkins' struggles became public when he made the bold and impactful decision to use his Hall of Fame induction speech to share about the dangers of not getting help and support when we're struggle with a mental health condition. Dawkins talks about his suicidal thoughts, how he hid his pain from his teammates, friends and family, and how only through taking off the mask was he able to find peace and support.  Tune in for an inspiring and eye-opening conversation about resilience, hope, and the fight to unmask the pain.

In "When You Need to Let it Out," hosts Terry and Anita welcome guest Paula to share her journey with depression. Paula defies the stereotype of someone living with depression, appearing energetic and confident on the surface. However, she opens up about her struggles and how she came to terms with her mental health.Paula shares her experience of growing up in various countries before settling in the US, where she discovered her depression. Despite her outwardly positive demeanor, Paula found herself battling with dark thoughts and feelings of loneliness. After reaching a breaking point, she turned to her parents for support, finding solace in prayer and eventually opening up publicly about her struggles on social media.Through sharing her story openly, Paula found support from unexpected places and realized the power of shared experiences in overcoming depression. She discusses the importance of finding coping mechanisms that work for individuals, even if they may not be traditional methods like therapy or medication. Paula emphasizes the significance of authentic self-expression and building a supportive community to navigate mental health challenges.Throughout the episode, Terry, Anita, and Paula provide insights into managing depression, advocating for open dialogue, self-care, and finding a supportive community. They encourage listeners to speak up about their struggles and offer support to those in need.

"Listening is a Loving Gift We Can All Offer" delves into the profound act of listening as a powerful tool in supporting those living with depression. Robert, a trained and experienced "listener," shares insights from years of experience at a crisis hotline where he demonstrated the significance of genuine, empathetic listening. Robert discusses the dual perspective of experiencing depression and anxiety personally while working in mental health, and the lesson he's learned through both that the most impactful act is often to let someone talk without the need to provide unsolicited advice. Through poignant anecdotes and reflections, the episode highlights the transformative impact of offering a compassionate ear, fostering hope, and reducing stigma surrounding mental health issues. Tune in to discover how the simple act of listening can be a profound source of connection and support for individuals navigating the complexities of depression.

This episode delves into the experiences of Natasha, a mother who shares her journey through postpartum depression (PPD). Natasha recounts her initial lack of recognition of PPD symptoms despite prior education on the topic, attributing it to the overwhelming life changes accompanying motherhood. She reflects on her reluctance to acknowledge or share her feelings, viewing them as signs of weakness, and the impact of societal expectations and family upbringing on seeking help.Natasha emphasizes the importance of early communication and seeking support, highlighting her journey to acceptance and proactive management through therapy and self-expression. The 21-minute episode underscores the complexity of PPD symptoms, their relation to personal and familial history, and the need for persistent support and understanding from loved ones. It concludes with a caregiver tip from Families for Depression Awareness on recognizing signs of PPD and emphasizes the significance of speaking up and listening to those struggling with mental health challenges.Postpartum Depression: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment (clevelandclinic.org)Postpartum depression - Symptoms and causes - Mayo ClinicHome - Families for Depression Awareness (familyaware.org)Families for Depression Awareness - Depression and Bipolar Test (familyaware.org)

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we delve into the often-misunderstood realm of postpartum depression (PPD), a silent struggle affecting approximately one in 8 new mothers. While the birth of a baby is traditionally associated with joy and excitement, for some, it can trigger unexpected emotions, including anxiety and depression.Hosts Dr Anita Sanz and Terry McGuire explore the nuances between the common "baby blues" experienced by most new mothers and the more profound, enduring impact of postpartum depression. From mood swings and crying spells to anxiety and sleep disturbances, the spectrum of PPD symptoms is illuminated.Our guest Natasha Lettner candidly shares her experience after the birth of her first child, offering listeners an inside look at the fact postpartum depression, even when discussed beforehand, can get so mixed up with other post-birth life changes, that it is not immediately recognized. Importantly, the episode underscores the importance of seeking timely treatment, emphasizing that support and intervention can facilitate symptom management and foster crucial bonding with the newborn.Join us as we shed light on this often overlooked but significant aspect of the postpartum experience, offering hope and understanding to those navigating the shadows of postpartum depression.This episode was produced in partnership with Families for Depression Awareness and made possible by a sponsorship from Sage Therapeutics and Biogen. We'll continue our discussion with Natasha next week. Home - Families for Depression Awareness (familyaware.org)

In this inspiring follow-up episode, we revisit the remarkable journey of Jonny and Neil, whose lives intersected on a bridge during a mental health crisis, altering their paths forever. Six years after their life-saving encounter, they reunite as partners in mental health advocacy, spreading a message of hope and recovery.Jonny and Neil's reunion is a testament to the enduring power of connection and the profound impact of compassion. From the depths of despair to the forefront of advocacy, they have transformed their shared experience into a beacon of hope for others struggling with mental health challenges. 

In this poignant episode of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast, we explore a chance encounter that changed lives forever. Join us as we hear from two remarkable individuals: Jonny, who stood on the edge, and Neil, whose compassion halted tragedy.Jonny ran from a psychiatric hospital to a nearby bridge, consumed by despair. But Neil appeared, offering a lifeline of understanding and empathy. Their exchange became a turning point, illuminating the power of human connection in the darkest of moments.Through their shared journey, we witness the transformative impact of compassion and the resilience of the human spirit. Join us for "Bridging Hope," a testament to the profound difference a simple act of kindness can make.

We're not taught how to have these conversations.: A friend or family member is struggling. Maybe they're just "not themselves." Maybe they're suicidal. How do we offer support them? What do we say? What do we need to avoid saying? What can we do that's actually helpful?In this episode we explore a list of real-world tested ways we learn from someone who has struggled mightily about the things his support network has done that have helped. These tips are for the end of the spectrum when someone is nearing or in crisis.Because we need to learn how to offer support and kindness without waiting to be asked.  Link to Sam's blog post with all 11 suggestions:https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/08/24/11-important-ways-my-loved-ones-supported-me-during-a-mental-health-crisis/Links to two previous episodes with ways to reach out:1) https://www.buzzsprout.com/2032100/146979232)https://www.buzzsprout.com/2032100/146979813) Link to free Mental Health America screenings: https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/

For the past two weeks we've explored ways to reach out for support if you are the one struggling. Today we shift gears. What if you know someone who seems really depressed--maybe even suicidal, and they're not reaching out. How do you reach IN?In the first of two episodes, our return guest Sam Dylan Finch details how people have shown up for him in helpful and meaningful ways.Not knowing what to do is not an excuse to do nothing.Link to Sam's blog post with all 11 suggestions:https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/08/24/11-important-ways-my-loved-ones-supported-me-during-a-mental-health-crisis/ Links to two previous episodes with ways to reach out:1) https://www.buzzsprout.com/2032100/146979232)https://www.buzzsprout.com/2032100/146979813) Link to free Mental Health America screenings: https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/

How many times have you heard: "Reach out if you are struggling."But it's not as easy or clear as it sounds. How? What if you don't even know what you want or need? What if your depression has convinced you no one cares, that you don't deserve help, or that you are a bother to people?It can all sound straight forward and obvious from the outside, or from wellness. But in dark times, or hours of crisis, nothing is clear. An articulate, caring and experienced mental health advocate made a list of 10 Ways to "Reach Out" When You're Struggling With Your Mental Health. We discuss his sixth through tenth suggestions in this episode.Part one: Everyone Says Reach Out for Help, But HOW? https://www.buzzsprout.com/2032100/14697923Link to Sam's list:  https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-ways-to-reach-out-when-youre-struggling-with-your-mental-health/

How many times have you heard: "Reach out if you are struggling."But how? What should you say? When should you say it and to whom? It can all sound straight forward and obvious from the outside, or from wellness. But in dark times, or hours of crisis, nothing is clear. And with depression convincing you no one cares about or would want to help you, it's even more complicated. An articulate, caring and experienced mental health advocate made a list of 10 Ways to "Reach Out" When You're Struggling With Your Mental Health. We discuss his first 5 suggestions in this episode.Link to Sam's list: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-ways-to-reach-out-when-youre-struggling-with-your-mental-health/

"Carrying Buckets of Water for Those Still in the Fire" is a continuation of John's story from last week (#297- When You Learn That What You're Feeling Has a Name:") Despite delving into psychology, battling bouts of depression his whole life, and tirelessly researching his own mind and body, John struggled to piece together his inner turmoil. It wasn't until he connected with others sharing their experiences that the puzzle began to fit.Realizing he wasn't alone in his darkness shattered the misconception of personal failure or weakness. Depression, he learned, is a widespread and manageable condition. By bravely sharing his journey, John sheds light on the shadows of mental illness as other guests did for him when he needed hope and information.Join us for 22 minutes as John shares his hard-earned insights, offering hope and understanding to those navigating similar struggles. Together, let's "carry buckets of water for those still in the fire."

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, join us as we delve into John's journey of self-discovery. Struggling with the end of a relationship and battling Covid, John confronted the depths of his despair, only to realize that what he's been living with and battling most of his life has a name: depression. Tune in as we explore the societal pressures and personal revelations that led John to acknowledge his mental health struggles, challenging preconceived notions of masculinity and strength. This poignant episode offers a raw and honest exploration of one man's journey towards self-awareness and acceptance.Links to ACEs information & tests:https://americanspcc.org/take-the-aces-quiz/https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html

In this poignant episode of Giving Voice to Depression, titled "Why You Have to Tell Someone if You're Suicidal," we delve into the critical importance of telling someone if you're struggling with suicidal ideation-- EVEN IF you believe no one cares or any of the other lies that depression is likely telling you.Our guest  Katie, bravely shares her personal experience of planning to end her life and the pivotal moment when she shared her secret and got the love, support and treatment she desperately needed. Drawing from her account we explore the deceptive nature of depression and the insidious, convincing lies it repeatedly tells those in its grip. Through Katie's story, we confront the dangerous misconception that one can manage these thoughts alone and emphasize the life-saving significance of reaching out for support.By engaging in an open dialogue about the internal battles many face, we aim to destigmatize conversations surrounding mental health and suicidal ideation to empower listeners to break the silence and seek the help they deserve to live lives worth living.Join us as we confront the silence surrounding suicidal thoughts, unravel the tangled web of depression's deceit, and champion the transformative power of reaching out in times of despair.Katie on IG: @Katie.TheBipolarTherapist

In this compelling episode, Katie shares her deeply personal journey through two distinct emergencies: one marked by psychiatric crisis and the other by physical trauma. With raw honesty, she contrasts her experiences navigating the emergency healthcare system during a period of intense vulnerability.First, Katie shares how, after detailed planning to end her life, she "broke down" and shared her plans with her sister. That disclosure led to her psychiatric hospitalization for much-needed care.  She shares the good and bad about how the hospital staff talked to her, the stigma that was evident throughout the experience, and the way her family responded. Then, she shifts focus to her unexpected hospital visit just months later,  following a freak accident that resulted in back surgery. Through her narrative, Katie explores the marked differences in treatment, support, and societal attitudes between her mental health and physical health emergencies.Throughout the episode, Katie reflects on her journey, and sheds light on the distinct differences of navigating dual emergencies, even though both were essentially life-saving medical treatments. 

In this special Valentine's  episode of our podcast, we delve into the heartwarming journey of Kathleen and the transformative power of small gestures in igniting conversations about mental health. At the heart of this narrative lies "The Little Heart Project," a touching initiative born from personal struggle and a desire to spread love and understanding.Kathleen's journey begins with a triggering trauma, leading her into the depths of a profound depression. Amidst the darkness, she finds a guiding light in the form of a compassionate therapist who helps her navigate through her pain and find a glimmer of hope. Alongside therapy, Kathleen discovers a new hobby, one that not only sparks joy within her but also ignites a newfound mission: to use her creativity to make a difference in the lives of others facing similar struggles.The catalyst for this mission? Small knit hearts, randomly placed and found, serving as tangible reminders of love and connection. These tiny tokens of affection become powerful symbols of empathy and understanding, encouraging open conversations about mental health wherever they go.Through Kathleen's journey, we explore the profound impact of kindness and compassion, especially during times of darkness and despair. The Little Heart Project serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us all of the importance of reaching out, listening, and showing love to those in need.Join us for a 22-minute reminder of the power of small acts of kindness this Valentine's Day, as we celebrate the resilience of the human spirit and the healing potential of love.https://www.thelittleheartproject.org/

In this deeply insightful episode of our podcast, we are joined by Liz, who shares her personal journey through various types of depression. With candid honesty, clarity and vulnerability, Liz opens up about her experiences, shedding light on the complexity of mental health struggles and the power of supportive friendships.At the heart of this episode lies Liz's reflections on the pivotal role that caring friends can play in our journeys towards naming, understanding and accepting our depression. She recounts how, despite being unaware of her own condition, a friend's keen observation and compassionate intervention helped her recognize the signs of depression within herself. Likewise, Liz was able to extend that same support to another friend who had yet to name her own struggles until Liz gently suggested it might be depression.As Liz's story unfolds, listeners are inspired to cultivate deeper connections, foster open dialogue, and create environments of compassion and understanding where individuals can find solace and support on their journey towards healing.Links to signs of depression: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depressionhttps://mhanational.org/conditions/depression

In this 18-minunte episode, we delve deep into the consequences of overlooking early symptoms of depression.  Join us as we sit down with Sally,  a senior citizen who has spent a lifetime battling depression that began in childhood, yet went undiagnosed and unaddressed for years.As Sally recounts her journey, listeners are taken on a poignant exploration of the silent suffering experienced by many children who struggle with mental health issues. From early signs and symptoms to the challenges of navigating adolescence and adulthood, Sally shares candidly about the profound impact that undiagnosed depression had on her life.But this episode isn't just about personal reflection; it's a call to action. With heartfelt urgency, Sally urges parents, teachers, and society as a whole to tune in and step in if a child in their life exhibits signs of depression. She highlights the importance of early intervention, destigmatization, and creating supportive environments where children feel safe to express their struggles.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14938-depression-in-childrenhttps://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/depression.html

When mental health management tools are discussed, there's the often-mentioned A-List: meds, therapy, getting outside, exercise, meditation, etc. But when we talk with our weekly guests about what works for them, the list is lond and personalized.  It includes everything from creative projects like coloring to mood-lifting music, solo dancing, interacting with pets, caring for plants, watching funny movies and playing video games. In today's 19-minute episode, we look at how gaming played a role in mental health during the pandemic, and how one gaming development team has intentionally brought  mental health experts into their design process to "deliver positive mental health effects."Related links:BetterPlay Studios | Good Games, Good for YouHow To Raise a Healthy GamerHG Coaching Resources + Tools (healthygamer.gg)Video Games and Mental Health: Risk Factors and Benefits (psychcentral.com)

In one of the most-practical episodes we've produced, we get into the weeds and look at how to keep yourself nourished, and your body and environment clean (enough)when you "just can't" because of depression.Emily Derecktor, founder of the free online resource Cereal for Dinner, knows first-hand that depression can be disabling. She has compiled evidence-based, doable, realistic goals for survival when tasks like a shower, meal prep and making your bed all seem just too much.If you have depression, this 25- minute episode will not only give provide some very-practical advice, but also the reminder that you are far from alone in your struggles with what were once basic tasks.If you do not have depression, listening will help you understand that depression is not just sadness that people can "soldier through."www.cerealfordinner.org/

Depression is a thief. It steals our vitality, our sense of connection and worth. Our dreams. And sometimes our very will to live.This week's guest, Emily Derecktor knows losses. She worked hard to do well in school, get into top universities and earn admittance to medical school.And then depression stole that opportunity. For now, anyways.In this episode Emily shares about her mental health journey, and the range of ways depression can impact us, and derail our dreams.Next week Emily will share about a fabulous resource she's created for others with depression. In one of the most-practical episodes we've produced, we'll talk about hygiene, cooking and cleaning when depression makes even basic living skills too much.www.cerealfordinner.org/

Since you're listening to a depression podcast it's likely that you, like us, could benefit from "resolving" to prioritize your mental health in this New Year.This 27-minute podcast episode looks at several options, including movement- which can be running, walking, dancing, bike riding or any other activity. Whichever you choose to incorporate into your life, there will be preparatory steps. There will be physical and mental barriers to overcome. And there will be benefits that will motivate us to continue taking steps to protect and improve our mental and overall health.In this episode Dr. Adel Korkor, who recently gave a TEDx Talk called "Motion Impacts Emotion," shares how running helps him manage his panic attacks and overall mental and physical health.Co-host Dr. Anita Sanz shares strategies she uses with her clients to improve their chances of following through with desired changes. It's 27-minutes that will give you some tips for taking steps toward improved mental health. Adel Korkor's TEDx Talk: (61) Motion Impacts Emotion: My Journey With How Running Saved My Life | Adel B. Korkor, M.D. | TEDxOcala - YouTube AI28958_v3-YTCTV-AG28585_V03-QR-V19_677454046246.mp4 (youtube.com)Article quoted in episode: Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms - Mayo ClinicIntentions/Resolutions read at end of episode: https://themighty.com/topic/mental-health/alternatives-to-new-years-resolutions-mental-illness/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MHM_12252023_12292023&utm_source=cordial&cid=59b3df8a1fbda906fdaf716dAdditional Research provided by Dr. Korkor: Cassilhas, R. C., Tufik, S., & de Mello, M. T. (2016). Physical exercise, neuroplasticity,spatial learning and memory. Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS, 73(5),975–983. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-015-2102-0Deslandes, A., Moraes, H., Ferreira, C., Veiga, H., Silveira, H., Mouta, R., Pompeu, F.A., Coutinho, E. S., & Laks, J. (2009). Exercise and mental health: many reasons tomove. Neuropsychobiology, 59(4), 191–198. https://doi.org/10.1159/000223730Ding, Q., Vaynman, S., Akhavan, M., Ying, Z., & Gomez-Pinilla, F. (2006). Insulin-likegrowth factor I interfaces with brain-derived neurotrophic factor-mediated synapticplasticity to modulate aspects of exercise-induced cognitivefunction. Neuroscience, 140(3), 823–833.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.02.084Gomes da Silva, S., & Arida, R. M. (2015). Physical activity and braindevelopment. Expert review of neurotherapeutics, 15(9), 1041–1051.https://doi.org/10.1586/14737175.2015.1077115Kirk-Sanchez, N. J., & McGough, E. L. (2014). Physical exercise and cognitiveperformance in the elderly: current perspectives. Clinical interventions in aging, 9,51–62. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S39506

A (then) 23-year-old woman stops during a magical holiday moment to tweet to her 14-year-old suicidal self the message that the fight IS worth it, that things can and will change, that you will not always feel the way you do right now, that hope wins and you are NOT alone. It's a New Year's message of hope and recovery that we hope you'll listen to, internalize and share. May 2024 bring you peace and mental health.

We post this 6-minute essay every Christmas Eve, for those who are not feeling merry or bright. Whether it's depression, grief, loneliness or something else, if you are hurting, the "joyfulness" of this holiday season can make things feel even worse.John Pavlovitz wrote and recorded a powerful essay we know some of you will also be comforted by-- or at least feel acknowledged. We'll get through this together. Come to the Giving Voice to Depression Facebook community page if you need some company today. https://johnpavlovitz.com/2017/12/24/to-those-who-struggle-this-christmas/

End-of-year holidays can be a celebratory time.Or a stressful time.Or both.Whichever is true for you, it's a good time to add or tune-up some of the tools in your mental-health toolkit.This episode focuses on mindfulness and self-compassion -- two readily accessible tools that can help us regulate and cope with difficult emotions.And when the holidays pass, these valuable gifts to ourselves will still be available in our self-care and depression-management arsenals.Link to more information, exercises and research: https://self-compassion.org/Link to research on mindfulnessAmerican Mindfulness Research Association:goamra.org/resources/reviewsmeta-analysis/

How could making a secret, customized Bingo card help you manage holiday stressors?What's the value of a "buffer day?" Those are just two of the many tips and tricks shared by Dr. Anita Sanz, a licensed clinical psychologist to help us manage and protect our mental health during what can be a difficult time of year for many.Even if you enjoy the holidays, there's no ignoring the fact they impact our schedules, routines and energy.  This 18-minute episode could give you a few new tools to be able to keep what is meaningful and health for you and avoid or limit that which is not.  Especially the bingo card. We just love the Bingo card. ;-) A printable, customizable Bingo card is available on our website: https://givingvoicetodepression.com/

Grieving any impactful loss can be especially challenging during the holidays. There are so many expectations that we celebrate and keep up traditions regardless of our feelings and pain. Setting and communicating clear boundaries (even if they will disappoint or upset others) and managing expectations are two ways to protect ourselves and our hearts.Our guest, Krista St-Germain knows a lot about grief, and coaches others through it. This 28-minute episode could help you honor yourself this holiday season. Please share it with anyone else you know who could benefit from the insights.Links to related resources:Krista's website: Coaching with Krista — Life Coaching for Widowed MomsPsychology Today article: Working Through Grief During the Holidays | Psychology TodayGVTD episode on EFT/Tapping: Stream 94 - Bonus - Toolkit Tapping (Brad Yates) by Giving Voice to Depression | Listen online for free on SoundCloud

Living with depression is difficult.That's true for both the person with the mood disorder, and those around them who are also affected. Last week in "Caregivers Have Needs Too," Gwen, a professional, wife and mother, shared about the challenges of partnering, parenting and running a home with a person  who experiences debilitating depression.This week, she shares the ground rules and clear boundaries that she and her husband have designed to keep life moving forward even during the times depression makes him unable to fully participate. One key takeaway is the question: What CAN you do?Links to related resources:Who is a Caregiver? - Families for Depression Awareness (familyaware.org)Anxiety Disorders and Depression Research & Treatment | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAAMental Health America | Homepage | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)Mental Health Video Resource Library | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

Having depression is hard.Loving and caring for someone with depression is, too. November is National Caregivers Month, and this 24-minute episode explores the need for boundaries, perspective, communication, and self-care while supporting a family member who is struggling. This 24-minute episode is a response to last week's "I Wish People Understood How Hard and Lonely it Is," in which a caregiver asked for some guidance on how to run a home and raise a child with a partner whose depression makes them unavailable at times. Our guest Gwen offers some lessons she's learned navigating a similar situation for decades. It is peer support at its finest. Resources for Caregivers:Home - Families for Depression Awareness (familyaware.org)Getting Started: Guide for New Mental Health Caregivers | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)Caregiver Mental Health | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA

A podcast listener, who is married to and raising a child with a man with depression and other mental health conditions, reached out to get some information and support from others who understand the lonely realities of her situation. Margaret describes the challenges of trying to run a house and family with a partner whose depression makes him unavailable on several levels. She speaks of the isolation, lack of support and understanding, and how very differently friends and family react to mental illness than they did to her cancer battle years ago.This 25-minute episode is an intimate and candid look into a marriage in which depression can sometimes feel like a third partner. 

As individuals, we don't have much control over world events. But when tragic news fills 24-hour news cycles, we have a responsibility to ourselves to tune in and make choices that limit the impact on our mental health. In this remixed episode, our guest, Dr. Robert Duff (Duff the Psych,) talks about the line between being informed and being negatively impacted. Dr. Anita Sanz shares her perspective as well.www.huffpost.com/entry/violent-me…nxiety_n_6671732www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4803729/www.duffthepsych.com/

TW: Imagine one of your darkest nights. You feel worthless, and as though no one cares or would miss you.You go to bed praying that "if it doesn't hurt, please let me not wake."And then dozens of people from across the globe, people you've never met,post hearts and hugs and comments of love and support specifically for you. Would you be able to take in those messages?Would they truly help?This 27-minute podcast is Rosaleen's story of that experience. She did drink in the love and says that the messages took away depression's power, convinced her she does matter, and "pulled her out" of depression's dark pit.This is a true story. And an example of both how simple helping another human can be, and how "reaching out" can make a profound and lasting difference.  

This extended, 30-minute episode dispels two common mental health misconceptions: 1) That there's really no point in "reaching out" because no on e cares or understands. And 2) That was have to have The Perfect Thing to Say when offering support to someone who's really hurting.  When Rosaleen, a Giving Voice to Depression community member (on Facebook) let us know that she was in a very dark place, we asked the group for support, and they showed up in beautiful and healing ways. You see, Rosaleen was hearing and believing depression's lies. She was thinking she was  worthless and that no one cared if she lived or died.  She was in bed, feeling that familiar but hard-to-explain blend of deep hurt and numbness.  It was her wish that she'd fall asleep and not wake. Instead, when she did wake, it was to an outpouring of love , understanding and support from People Who Get It.  People who have also been in depression's grip and pit. And through simple but profound comments, they countered depression's  messaging and convinced Rosaleen that she does matter and that she is not alone.Cohosts Dr. Anita Sanz and Terry read through and discuss those comments, in the hopes they'll reach and sooth any deep, hurting parts in you. 

At 14, Lacey's mental-health challenges made living a long and full life seem impossible to her.She wasn't sure she could even make it to 16. because of her crippling depression and anxiety.Now a social worker in her 20's, Lacey has the perspective of someone familiar with both the bottom of life's pit and the climb out. She sees mental health as a spectrum and shows grace for all points on it.Our conversation is a 30,000-foot view of mental health, recovery and hope. It's well worth the 25 minutes it will take to listen.

As a teen, Lacey's depression and suicidal thoughts were so pervasive that she did not know if she would live past the age of 16.She is now a social worker helping others.Lacey shares about her family's inability to speak openly about mental-health challenges before she opened that conversational door.  She credits her grandmother, who then disclosed the generations-long family history of depression, which allowed Lacey to have hope for a future.

When our children first exhibit symptoms of mental health challenges, we seldom recognize them as that.  With lots of encouragement from friends and family (if we even share) we are convinced that the behaviors are "typical teen stuff." Craig Kramer, says when his children were suffering, he "made every mistake in the book- and them some." He had lots of help with that. He got bad advice from trusted people, was "sold snake oil" and waited until his children were in crisis to pull out all the stops and get them needed care and support.The entire process led Craig to conclude that there is no working mental health system in the United States. He is working to help change that.This 25-minute episode, "A Father's Story of Lessons Learned the Hard Way" could help save your family some time and risk.Link to Craig's Johnson & Johnson video about his family's mental health journey: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/craigkramer1_asking-for-help-saved-craig-kramers-career-activity-7090004879254945792-wtoU?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

30+ years after a suicide attempt that left her in a coma, Jeannine looks back on that day, and on what she would have missed if she had died that hopeless day. When you're "in it," you do not think you will ever get out. We need to know, believe and spread the message that the bottom is not the end. For Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, please listen to and share this 24-minute episode. Jeannine's website: https://www.jeanninerivers.com/

For Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we want to introduce you to suicide-attempt survivor, Jeannine Rivers, We want you to hear her talk about the good and the bad of the life she never would have experienced had she not (barely) survived her attempt. Please take 17 minutes to honor our guest, Jeannine's honesty and vulnerability sharing about her life for to offer hope to others. Jeannine's website: https://www.jeanninerivers.com/

It can be so, so hard when you are in depression's darkness to believe anyone who says "it passes," "it will get better," or even "you are loved and needed." Mark Henick, a suicide-attempt survivor has the lived experience, perspective and empathy to reach out with his message of hope and recovery. He has been there. He knows. Please listen, share, reach out for whatever help and support are available and hold hope for better days. Mark's TEDx Talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1QoyTmeAYw

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. We'll be interviewing attempt survivors to both explore the depths of their despair and hopelessness, AND their recoveries, which include connecting (or reconnecting) with their personal worth and the value of life. In this 26-minute episode guest Mark Henick and Licensed Psychologist Anita Sanz debunk the many misconceptions, myths and lies about the highly stigmatized topic of suicide. Mark's TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1QoyTmeAYw Mark's book: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/so-called-normal_mark-henick/28860899/#edition=32308913&idiq=53531887 The website Anita mentioned: https://seizetheawkward.org/

Mental health conditions like depression and bipolar disorder make our every "failing" or "weakness" seem huge, pervasive and permanent. Negative self-talk is so familiar, that sometimes it's just easier to believe than the reality that we are making progress, accomplishing things and moving closer to the goal of being mentally stable or healthy. This 23-minute episode features Rebecca Lombardo who lives with Bipolar Disorder Two. She recently turned 50 and was surprised to realize that in the past decade, she has made tremendous strides-- wins she had not taken pride in before that realization. Link to the free Kindle version of Rebecca's book: https://bit.ly/47A7FvO Rebecca's website: www.rebeccaalombardo.com

Rebecca Lombardo fights a battle inside her mind every single day. But she doesn't fight it alone. In this 19-minute episode you'll hear from both Becca and her husband Joe, as they share some of the lessons they've learned in their marriage; lessons about communication, boundaries, love, and Bipolar 2 Disorder. www.rebeccaalombardo.com

There is magic in the words "I've been there. I understand." Especially when speaking to someone who is in a bad place mentally, whether that's high anxiety, a depression, or a mental health crisis. To be the living example of an "other side" to a seemingly hopeless situation is both a privilege and a responsibility. This 19-minute episode is Jordan's story. But it's also a version of lots of people's stories, which is where the hope comes in. People who have been "right where you are" are in different, better, healthier places now, and you can be too.

"Who You Callin' Crazy" is a 25-minute podcast episode that features practical therapy tips for the "little ways" we can make big differences in changing the perceptions, misconceptions and stigma around mental illnesses. Our guest, National Board Certified Counselor and therapist Juliet Kuehnle believes that as the needle shifts on stigma (which Covid helped with,) "we need to learn to embrace the fact that mental health is an integral part of what makes us who we are." Juliet's website: https://suncounselingandwellness.com/juliet-kuehnle/

Fighting "the stigma of mental illness" is not an academic pursuit. It's both a social justice and public health issue. Welcome to the 3rd of our 4-part look at the stigma of mental illness. In this episode, we'll hear from several past guests about the actual real-world, real-life benefits of reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness. Those benefits include promoting mental wellness and reducing the risk of harm to individuals with diagnoses. We will discuss the positive impacts of creating an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with mental illness and the broader benefits of destigmatizing mental health.

The phrase "stigma of mental illness" is at once overused and misunderstood. What does it really mean? Why does it matter? Why should I care? In the second of four episodes in our monthlong look at how negative associations with mood disorder diagnoses negatively impact those of us who live with them, we ask a number of past guests if stigma is evident to them, and if so, in what ways. www.mhanational.org/b4stage4-philosophy https://www.findthemind.org/articles/why-is-there-so-much-stigma-surrounding-mental-illness

Mental illness is a subject that is often stigmatized and misunderstood. The silence around it can make us feel like we're the only one experiencing it- that we are uniquely flawed. By sharing our stories, we can empower each other and break the stigma. In this podcast episode, we explore the power of personal stories in combating mental illness stigma. We will hear from Dr. Patrick Corrigan, one of the leading stigma researchers, about what does and doesn't work in the fight against stigma, and that stigma needs to be fought as a social justice vs. public health issue. Corrigan also stresses the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment to share stories. By understanding the power of our own stories, and those of others, we can create real and lasting change in our society's understanding of mental illness.

We buy all kinds of insurance to protect ourselves. A Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is "emotional insurance." It can help us recognize when/why we are in a Good Place, and warn us if/when we (or our minds) start to wander into Less-Good Places. A WRAP can also protect us and give us some control in a mental-health crisis. In this episode our cohosts, a licensed psychologist and certified peer specialist continue a step-by-step guide for making a personalized WRAP plan-- something we create when we're well, to speak to and for us when we are not. links: copelandcenter.com/ mentalhealthrecovery.com/info-center/ www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/WRAP.pdf

We plan for all sorts of events and emergencies. We buy insurance. If we know we live in an area prone to tornadoes or hurricanes or floods, we have a plan for how to handle those potential crises. We can (and it's a very good idea) plan for potential mental health challenges and even crises too. Who do you want to help and support you? Who do you not want involved? What are your early warning signs that things are getting worse or nearing a crisis? What triggers or stressors negatively impact your mental health? How can you limit or avoid them? How do you best manage those you can't avoid? How will you (and others) know when you're in crisis? And how will you/they know when you no longer are? These are all great questions. And knowing our own personal answers and writing them down in an organized Wellness Recovery Action Plan (or WRAP) can help us maintain some control even in times that feel out of our control. A licensed psychologist will walk us through the steps of making a plan and give examples and advice to make it easier for you. Here's a link to the plan outline we're following: https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/WRAP.pdf

We are encouraged to "do the work" to manage our mental health. We're told to #beheretomorrow. And those are powerful messages! But how often do they include the reminder that we deserve to recover, heal and live for ourselves and not just for others? That distinction is discussed in this 24-minute episode with our guest, Ari Cohen. Families for Depression Awareness site: https://www.familyaware.org/

After losing his father to suicide as a child, an adult Sebastian Slovin embarks on a journey of recovery and discovery. What starts out as an investigation to understand his father's death, ends up providing a deeper understanding of how to live a truer life. This 23-minute remix is a powerful reminder of the fact our lives are intertwined and that even our worst and most-painful experiences may lead to connections and blessings in ways we can't imagine. Learn more about Sebastian and his father in the book "Ashes in the Ocean."

Stigma, shame and the fact depression is still (too) often seen as a weakness or failing, cause many people with the common illness to hide their struggles and pain behind a mask. While in moderation this can be a healthy coping mechanism, it can also be dangerous as it prevents us not only from living as authentic human beings, but also from getting the help and support we need to live healthy, connected lives. In this remixed episode, our guest Andrew Penner speaks eloquently about his mask, while therapist Dr. Anita Sanz takes a big-picture view of the coping strategy. https://thephoenixnarrative.blog/2023/06/04/the-mask-2023/ https://themighty.com/u/andrew-penner/ https://twitter.com/andrewpenner78

Depression "is a persuasive and persuasive condition that completely dominates your thinking." And it lies. Consistently and convincingly. When we accept depressive thoughts as truths, there's no motivation to move forward. Understanding the "illogic of depression" can help us recognize and challenge those lies and to live healthier and fuller lives. Learn some ways to do that this 23-minute episode. https://www.barrywinbolt.com/

If you're a parent with a mental health condition (i.e. depression)you can't hide it from your children. They will notice when you pull away and isolate. They'll notice when you're sad. And when you're angry. And, without a clear, medical explanation, they will often blame themselves for your "mood." This 43-minute episode "Explaining Depression to Children" is an extended version of #255 "Sometimes Daddy Cries." Both are conversations with Todd Rennebohm, a father who lives with depression, anxiety, ADHD and addictions. He has written a children's book to help start much-needed (and avoided) conversations about mental health and mental illness. If you're a parent with depression or the partner, friend or parent of one, we encourage you to listen to this (or the edited version) interview. It could help you help a child. For more info on Todd's book: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.ca%2Fdp%2F0228834678%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1EK4YjfaO4xxgmLXtlCBC_WbnlHc68h0dE195i4Jo9uN_kcQM1Pu_3dWY&h=AT2fpHwX3bRb0p8WABStrWoDn2xCrUBq4BZImYYhSHvVGPz8wkoh5e1VbQybTXAcS3tmBjS4IJYVqYRZDd0gQu-G4yigasNpcoFQTBnvPu7xEHGP8nA_wujgEJNo-hopEG_oBA

Depression is hard to explain. To ourselves, to others, and especially to children. When we're sad or angry and we isolate or lash out, they are likely to be afraid and to think they've done something wrong-- that they caused, or at least contributed to our mood and behaviors. A father who lives with depression and ADHD and is in recovery for addictions wrote a book to help start those needed conversations. It's called "Sometimes Daddy Cries," and in this 19-min episode, we look at the very adult realities behind the children's story. For more information on Sometimes Daddy Cries: https://www.amazon.com/Sometimes-Daddy-Cries-Todd-Rennebohm/dp/0228834678

You may know Darin Olien from his bestselling book SuperLife or his Emmy-award winning Netflix series Down to Earth with Zac Efron. His passion is wellness. And in both his own life, and his parents, he recognizes the fact that mental health and physical health are inextricably intertwined. In this extended interview, Darin dives into the many ways we can manage and protect our overall (which, of course includes our mental) health. If you prefer an edited version, check out the 27-minute long episode 253, Wellness Expert Darin Olien on Mental Health. https://darinolien.com/

If you live with a mental health disorder, you know it has physical symptoms. If your focus, like guest/wellness expert Darin Olien is overall wellness, you know that includes mental health as well. The two cannot be divided. Darin, co-host of the Emmy Award Winning, #1 Netflix docu-series, Down to Earth with Zac Efron and author of the bestselling book SuperLife shares his unique perspectives in this 27-minute episode. He shares both his professional expertise and personal experiences with depression and trauma as we discuss biology and trauma as well as ways we can help manage our mental health. Link to Darin's website: https://darinolien.com/

As a teen, Michelle was told that getting professional help for her mental illnesses would be a stain on her "permanent record" that would prevent her from getting into a prestigious college or worse (in her parents' minds) from finding a husband. So, her bipolar disorder and anxiety went undiagnosed and untreated for decades. Michelle's story is one of stigma, unnecessary pain and ultimate recovery. And who better to advocate for mental health than someone who has had to fight so hard to have her own diagnosed and treated? Michelle's article: www.huffpost.com/entry/asian-amer…e4b02e7a705dae97 Michelle's Blog: www.livingwellhappily.com/

Michelle knew something was wrong. That she was "different." At times she could not distinguish reality from her troubled thoughts. She begged her parents to bring her to a professional to get help. But they were afraid a diagnosis of mental illness would prevent her from getting into a good college or from "finding a husband." So, because of stigma, ignorance and fear, Michelle suffered. Michelle Yang's story is a powerful and important one, and an important reminder that recovery does not happen in the shameful dark. Michelle's Blog: www.livingwellhappily.com/ Michelle's article we referenced: www.huffpost.com/entry/asian-amer…e4b02e7a705dae97

The idea of telling a stranger what we're thinking and feeling can be scary. Or liberating. When is it time to make an appointment? How do we "shop" for a good fit? (Did you know you can often get a free mini-session to ask questions and get a feel of the therapist?) How honest do we need to be (about both ourselves and our relationship with our therapist?) What is ok to say to a therapist? These are all questions we asked a therapist with more than 30 years in the mental health field. This 26-minute episode could save you a lot of time, money and stress.

When your depression is long-lasting it can be easy to believe that since nothing has helped much yet, nothing ever will. Then hope becomes a very difficult thing to hold onto. In the months between our first interview (episode 248- When You Feel Unfixable) and the conversation summarized in this episode, our guest Lori went to a 3-week treatment facility. She learned some new ways of thinking, found some new "tools" for mental health management, and met some people who, like her, live with chronic or persistent depression. She did not get "cured." But she did make and experience some shifts that let some light (albeit pinpricks) and hope return her darkness.

You hear it all the time: Hold on. Like storms, your depression will pass. But what if it doesn't. For millions who experience persistent depressive disorder (PDD,) formerly known as dysthymia, depression can last for months or years. Symptoms of PDD are similar to major depressive disorder (MDD,) but are milder and persistent (chronic.) People with this condition may also have bouts of major depression at times. This week's guest Lori lives with chronic depression. She has also had MDD, and the differences are clear to her. This 25-minute episode describes how being chronically depressed can erode hope, as well as aspects of life. More info: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/dysthymia

One of the many things depression and other chronic or invisible illnesses steal from us, is our energy. In this 17-minute episode, we discuss Christine Miserandino's Spoon Theory as a way to both manage and explain our often-limited resources. The theory is a metaphor describing the amount of physical and/or mental energy that a person has available for daily activities and tasks, and how it can become limited. It offers a kind of shorthand for communicating why we need to make choices (i.e. cancelling plans, saying no to opportunities, etc.) The Spoon Theory can help with establishing boundaries and may even help you show yourself a bit more grace.

In his 16 seasons in the NFL (13 with the Philadelphia Eagles and three with the Denver Broncos) Brian Dawkins earned the nickname "Weapon X" and a reputation as one of the league's hardest hitters. Yet when depression was his opponent, Dawkins nearly lost the fight. He retired recently to become a mental-health advocate and philanthropist. He joined GVTD co-host Terry for a candid discussion about how continues to tackle depression. www.briandawkins.com/ betterman.gotothehub.com https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/psychology-of-sport-and-exercise https://health.clevelandclinic.org/mental-health-in-athletes/

In last week's episode we met singer/songwriter/guitarist Matt Weedon, whose honest description of his depression and anxiety was made music, and a hit song at that, by his band The Tors. We focused on the song's first verse and Matt's description of keeping his room dark to match his mood, and about how a dear friend supported him by phone so he knew he wasn't alone. Today, we focus on the second verse of the hit song "Anythng Can Happen" and the day Matt knew he was coming out of it when he not only opened his bedroom window to let in light, but even noticed and enjoyed the birds singing when he did. It's an experience people around the world relate to, and they made that clear by streaming this song in record numbers. The Tors website: tors.band/

What do you get when a singer/songwriter/guitarist decides to share openly and honestly about his struggles with depression and anxiety? In this case, you get a hit song. Matt Weedon of the Tors Band in the UK joins us for a 2-episode conversation about his mental health struggles and how putting them to music is helping not just him, but listeners across the world as well. The Tors website: http://tors.band/

A Philadelphia trauma surgeon whose depression required hospitalization learns what it's like to be a patient. He shares his story in the hopes that others will learn from his frightening experience and believe him when he says recovery is possible, no matter how deeply depressed you are. Article link: medschool.ucsd.edu/som/hear/resour…Perspective.pdf YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qBobGOF0fs&t=5s

"Physician heal thyself." But what happens when depression convinces you you're not worthy of healing? Doctors and other healthcare professionals face uniquely-stressful situations during their education, training and careers. Sleep deprivation, myths and routinely witnessing human suffering can contribute to or trigger depression. In this episode, Dr. Michael Weinstein, a trauma surgeon, candidly and vulnerably discusses his depression, the "revolution" needed in medical training, and his long road to recovery. This remix is the first of a 2-part interview with the doctor. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1715418

A triggering trauma. A deep depression. A helpful therapist. A new hobby and mission. That's part of Kathleen's story and the genesis of The Little Heart Project. This episode is a 22-minute Valentine's Day reminder of the power of kindness.

"About a third of all people experiencing mental illnesses and about half of people living with severe mental illnesses also experience substance abuse. These statistics are mirrored in the substance abuse community, where about a third of all alcohol abusers and more than half of all drug abusers report experiencing a mental illness," according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. That statistic, like all statistics, is about real people. Not numbers. This episode's guest, Donald, is one of those people. And he shares his story of dual diagnosis- living with substance use disorder in addition to depression and anxiety. NAMI re: dual diagnosis: www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Me…l-Diagnosis-FS.pdf

Depression is an illness that convinces us it is not one and that we should keep our symptoms secret. This week's guest, Sandeep Saib, shares about her mental health journey that includes bullying, anger, isolation, eating disorders and OCD, all of which contributed to a suicide attempt. Since then, her family has committed to keeping the lines of communication open and has even devoted regularly scheduled Family Trust Circles. Here is a link to a documentary featuring Sandeep and her family if you would like to learn more about their mental health journey: https://youtu.be/_CQr45tIGC0 Sandeep's social media: link/tag to my socials - Sandeep Saib | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

We don't need to tell anyone listening to this podcast that it can be difficult to care for ourselves when we're mentally ill. Now add in the responsibilities and challenges of parenting. In this 16-minute episode, Michelle, the adult daughter of a mother with bipolar disorder, shares about the unpredictability and pains of that relationship. We've named this "When a Parent Struggles with Mental Illness, Kids Can Struggle Too" for a reason. Michelle, like many children in such situations, suffered. Co-host/therapist Dr. Anita Sanz offers some counsel to parents who want to do right by their children, even when they themselves are feeling "not right." We've linked to some resources below. Related resources: https://www.familyaware.org/ https://www.parents.com/health/mental/how-to-parent-while-depressed/ https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/parenting-with-a-mental-health-problem/parenting-and-mental-health/ Michelle's website: https://www.michelleedickinson.com/

Depression is a thief. It takes away our ability to experience joy, leads us to isolate, robs us of opportunities of many kinds, and can take away our sense of value as a human being and even our will to live. This week's guest, Gina Capobianco wrote a memoir about her mental health journey. Just as the time to release and promote it finally arrived, so did debilitating depression. It came on so strong she not only had to cancel those events but go on sick leave from work as well. Gina did this interview from The Pit. She was deep in a depression and, with her care team's permission, decided to talk with us because she believes it's important for people to understand that being sick with depression is as real as being unable to work or otherwise function with any other illness. Gina's website: https://www.ginacapobianco.com/

This episode started with a social media post: "The snippets of happiness you begin to feel again after a dark period become more and more euphoric each time... the raw happiness that I feel after darkness reminds me why I hold on each and every time." We wanted to hear more. In an intimate and candid conversation, Cara McErlain shares some of her mental-health journey. She ends the episode with a realistic and hopeful message, that only someone who'd experienced depression's true darkness could offer.

In the second of two episodes, the Giving Voice to Depression podcast hosts (past and present) look back on 2022 and each selects an episode they learned from and want to bring back to attention. It's a new twist on a year-end review, and we hope you enjoy it. If you remember or were helped by a particular episode last year, we'd love to hear about it. We'll pass along your feedback to the episode's guest.

When we say we learn from our EVERY weekly guest, we mean that from the bottom of our hearts. From the 52 podcast episodes we posted this past year, each of the Giving Voice to Depression co-hosts chose one that stood out for us. In a first-ever triple-hosted episode (Bridget, our retired co-host joined us for the look back) we talk about what we learned from some of our favorite/most-impactful interviews. We invite you to go to givingvoicetodepression.com and record a message telling us if any podcast guest, episode, topic, etc. has stuck with and helped you. We'll pass your comment along to the guest and possibly use it in an upcoming episode. We wish you a gentle and peaceful new year.

You are not required to be "joyful" or "merry" because of the date on the calendar. This is a special Christmas edition of our podcast, written and produced especially for YOU, who are struggling right now. It's only 8-minutes long, and we believe it will resonate with and comfort you as it does us. You are not alone. You do matter. People DO care. It WILL pass. Come hang out on the GIving Voice to Depression Facebook community page today if you need support. John's article, if you'd like a copy or to read vs. hear it is linked here: johnpavlovitz.com/2017/12/24/to-th…-this-christmas/

This is a story of hope. But it's not a pretty story. (TW: selfharm and suicidal ideation) A 23-year-old woman stops during a magical holiday moment to share huge truths with her 14-year-old suicidal self: The fight IS worth it. Things can and do change. You will not always feel the (terrible)way you do right now. And you are NOT alone. It's a holiday message of hope and recovery that we hope you'll listen to, internalize and share. May 2023 bring you peace and mental health.

Whether it's the holidays stressing you out, or life in general, these three research-based, time-tested practices will help you manage yourself and your mental health. They are a gift of sorts, from Dr. Barbara Moser, a trained mindful self-compassion teacher. This episode features a 3-minute STOP exercise, which emphasizes the power of a pause, a 6-minue Calm Practice, and an 8-minute Mindful Self-Compassion Practice. You can download this episode and use any or all of the exercises whenever you need them.

End-of-year holidays can be a celebratory time. Or a stressful time. Or both. Whichever is true for you, it can be a good time to add or tune-up some of the tools in your mental-health toolkit. This episode focuses on mindfulness and self-compassion -- two readily accessible tools that can help us regulate and cope with difficult emotions. And when the holidays pass, these valuable gifts to ourselves will still be available in our self-care and depression-management arsenals. Link to more information, exercises and research: self-compassion.org/ Link to research on mindfulness American Mindfulness Research Association: goamra.org/resources/reviewsmeta-analysis/

The episode has been downloaded more than 7,000 times. Find out why. Dr. Margaret Rutherford recently had Giving Voice to Depression podcast co-host Terry on the SelfWork podcast to talk about the experience of interviewing people with depression for the past six years. Check out this and other episodes of SelfWork here: https://drmargaretrutherford.com/305-selfwork-giving-voice-to-depression-a-conversation-with-podcast-host-terry-mcguire/ Link to Dr. Margaret's website: https://drmargaretrutherford.com/

It's one of the best descriptions we've ever heard for depression: It is a parasite. Depression saps your energy, so you feel more lethargic, which makes you not do things, which makes you feel more guilty, which makes you feel more depressed. Rinse and repeat. Ad nauseam. Today's guest, Dr. Robert Duff uses that metaphor to begin today's episode. He, is a psychologist and author, whose specialty is taking complex psychological issues and breaking them down into plain language, offers some techniques to help manage depression. www.duffthepsych.com

Depression is, to put it mildly, an unwanted guest in our minds and bodies. Yet, for those who experience it regularly, it can help to look for some value, some take-away, some "terrible gift" in the experience. Kristin "owns her shadow," and uses depression's voice to express herself in poetry. Hers is a gentle, allowing and unique perspective on an illness many of us simply despise. To learn more about Kristin and her poetry: KristinRoedell.wikidot.com

Whether you love or loathe the holidays, they are demanding. At the very least, they demand energy and changes to our schedules. We're expected to engage socially. Or we may feel the weight of disengagement and loneliness. We are bombarded with a lot of "shoulds" from gift-buying to travel down to how we are supposed feel- happy, merry, and festive. And if the holidays come during depression or after a tough year that included it, they can be just. too. much. Today, licensed psychologist Dr. Anita Sanz offers some practical and fun tips for how to protect your mental health these next weeks. The Bingo Card idea offers a unique and amusing way to handle some of the season's challenging social situations. It's pure gold.

Depression convinces us we will always live in its darkness. For some, who experience depression chronically, that is a reality. Some days are better/lighter than others. But there's not a day when you wake and realize it was "an episode" and it has passed. This episode's guest, Didi Hairston, The Diva of Depression (on social media) lives in that dark place. She describes it as "hell." But she wants you to know you can function in hell, and that you are not alone there. This 20-min episode is a peek into Didi's hell. Didi's social media links: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_b-kjYo7HjBTgcYS9NuW9Q FB: https://www.facebook.com/divawdepression/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/divawdep IG: https://www.instagram.com/divawdep/

The thoughts we have and the words we chose not only define depression, but predict it. In this episode, we speak with a researcher who anaylyzes online mental health forums and other writing samples. Using computers to analyze the words, he finds a direct connection between "absolutist" words and depression, anxiety and suicide. It's good to know the words so we can recognize them in ourselves and others. www.independent.co.uk/life-style/hea…-a8194731.html

There are people who, after having survived a difficult situation, will share their hard-earned knowledge with others in an effort to help. And there's JJ Singleton. He is still very much "in the thick of it," having just completed his 123rd round of chemo for "terminal, incurable" colorectal cancer. And from that place, he reached out to share a message of hope for other people with cancer and depression. He shares about his mental health journey, stigma (particularly for men,) the value of therapy and the power of distraction. It's an 18-minute episode that will remind you of the power of the human spirit. Link to Man Up to Cancer: https://www.manuptocancer.com/

In one of the most-practical episodes we've produced, we get into the weeds and look at how to keep yourself nourished, and your body and environment clean (enough)when you "just can't" because of depression. Emily Derecktor, founder of the free online resource Cereal for Dinner, knows first-hand that depression can be disabling. She has compiled evidence-based, doable, realistic goals for survival when tasks like a shower, meal prep and making your bed all seem just too much. If you have depression, this 25- minute episode will not only give provide some very-practical advice, but also the reminder that you are far from alone in your struggles with what were once basic tasks. If you do not have depression, listening will help you understand that depression is not just sadness that people can "soldier through." https://www.cerealfordinner.org/

Depression is a thief. It steals our vitality, our sense of connection and worth. Our dreams. And sometimes our very will to live. This week's guest, Emily Derecktor knows losses. She worked hard to do well in school, get into top universities and earn admittance to medical school. And then depression stole that opportunity. For now, anyways. In this episode Emily shares about her mental health journey, and the range of ways depression can impact us, and derail our dreams. Next week Emily will share about a fabulous resource she's created for others with depression. In one of the most-practical episodes we've produced, we'll talk about hygiene, cooking and cleaning when depression makes even basic living skills too much. https://www.cerealfordinner.org/

A single conversation can change the course of your life. A single person stepping in to say "You are not yourself. I am worried about you. I'm afraid you're planning to kill yourself. Are you suicidal?" can change the course of your life and recovery. That's the story Chloe shares in this 25-minute episode. Suicide Prevention Awareness Month might be over, but the need to tune in, step in and care most certainly is not.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please have them (or you) take 15 minutes to listen to Ken's story. It is a rare opportunity to speak with someone who survives an attempt, especially one from the Golden Gate Bridge, who can tell you they had instant regret when they started to fall, that all the things that seemed unsolvable in life suddenly didn't anymore, and that in the water below they begged for rescue and life. It is powerful and it is real.

CW: If our goal is to "prevent suicide," it might help to understand what kind of thoughts a suicidal person is having. In an intimate and revealing conversation, we ask Ken Baldwin, one of the few survivors of an attempt from the Golden Gate Bridge, to tell us what was going through his mind when he headed there to end his life. It's a conversation we'd only have with someone who has had a lot of time to process his attempt and who is in a much healthier and stable place, which Ken is. He freely tells his story in an effort to let us know that even the things in our lives that feel irreparable and hopeless may look very different when viewed through healthier lenses.

If you want to learn how to sit with someone in the darkest of times, you could learn a lot from hearing from someone who has done it. Hundreds of times. Retired Sgt. Kevin Briggs is a suicide-loss survivor, a person living with depression, and someone who has sat in the darkness with many who had lost hope, listening with patience and compassion. This 16-minute episode could help you be there for someone in need.

Suicide. Few single words conjure up such instant and strong reactions; pain, confusion, anger, shame, guilt, grief, blame, etc. And those reactions make having needed and potentially-lifesaving conversations about the reality far less likely. And that is dangerous. Today's guest, Wally, shares about what is a reality for some people: He lives with suicidal thoughts every day. Every. Day. Wally is a veteran who also lives with chronic pain, cPTSD, the effects of childhood trauma, depression and other diagnoses. Please listen and learn, and be open to hearing more people's stories and realities so they do not have to live them in isolation. CSSRS info link: http://cssrs.columbia.edu/wp-content/uploads/C-SSRS-Brochure-for-First-Responders-1.pdf

You have probably heard of The Twelve Steps used in many recovery programs. Originating with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA,) the steps were designed as a guide to lasting sobriety and an addiction-free lifestyle. Today's guest, Wally, revised the 12 Steps for use in his mental-health management and journey. In this 19-minute episode, we compare the two versions, explore why Wally made the changes he did, and learn how they help him with his PTSD, depression, chronic pain and other challenges. Whether you've worked the steps yourself, or have heard of but never explored them, there is wisdom and value in Wally's words. Link to Wally's Twelve Steps: http://ogretrollhammer.com/wookiewiki/index.php?n=Main.TheMHTwelveSteps Link to AA's Twelve Steps: https://www.aa.org/twelve-steps-twelve-traditions Link to Wally's Self-Inventory Template: http://ogretrollhammer.com/wookiewiki/index.php?n=Main.PersonalInventoryTemplate

Depression has many symptoms. Shame does not have to be one of them. This short, refreshingly-candid episode kicks stigma in the teeth, Our guest, Sara, addresses the way depression takes normal life events and twists them into cause for despair. She demonstrates how owning our full range of emotions frees us to better deal with the illness. This is the article we quoted from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression/art-20047725

If you have a pet, you understand the value of the connection you have. In today's episode, we speak with a woman about the integral role her dogs play in her mental health. Whether or not you're an animal lover, it's a good reminder of the needs for companionship, exercise, a sense of purpose, acceptance, a schedule, etc. Lori's matchmaking website: www.smartfunnysingle.com Two articles on pets and mental health: www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/Fe…lp-with-Depression

Nearly half of the people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with anxiety disorder. This week's guest Jordan, talks about his anxiety and his struggle to be properly diagnosed. He also shares about his post-surgical depression, which is more common than many realize. It's an episode filled with great perspective, advice, and even some laughs.

Organizations focus on The Bottom Line. But too seldom do they make it a priority to understand this bottom line: The people they employ are human beings. They may work with or as cogs in a corporate machine, but they are not machines. And their well-being, including their mental health, needs to be considered. It is not just the right thing to do for the health of employees, but for the health of businesses as well. Geoff McDonald, a former top exec at Unilever tells his personal story of the toll being pushed too hard for too long took on his body and mind. He now speaks across the globe about the need to address and prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.

Too many people are experiencing suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress without the support and care they need. The pandemic has made a that situation worse. On July 16, 2022, the former 800-number for the Suicide Prevention Lifeline is changing to the much-easier-to-remember 9-8-8, a variation of the 9-1-1 emergency line. The 988 Lifeline is a national network of over 200 local, independent crisis centers equipped to help people in mental health-related distress or experiencing a suicidal crisis via call, chat, or text. The 988 Lifeline provides free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the U.S. It's being touted as a step toward transforming mental health care in the U.S., though that is a huge project that will take much more time and resources. In this episode we revisit an interview with the Lifeline's director, Dr. John Draper, who talks about how reaching out to a lifeline can help.

When we see headlines and hear reports that the U.S. is experiencing a "youth mental-health crisis," it can be too easy to get lost in the reports and statistics and forget that we are talking about kids: our children, someone's best friend, a cherished sibling, loving cousin, neighbor or beloved grandchild. Each person represented in the numbers of people suffering, losing hope, needing help, attempting or dying by suicide matters. Lauren is one of them. At 15 she attempted suicide. Two years later, with her parents permission, she shares her story and messages of regret, recovery and hope.

Depression, as anyone with it can tell you, can seem to come on with no warning or trigger. One minute you can feeling pretty good, and the next you might realize your mood has drastically changed, you're uncharacteristically angry, very sad, numb or even thinking about death. There are also times when you may feel it "coming on," the way you feel early symptoms of another illness. And that's the time to start pulling out tools from your mental-health toolkit to try to stay ahead of it, or reduce the depth of the slide into depression's dark pit. In this episode, cohosts Terry and Anita talk about "forecasting" depression. Just like we pack a sweater or umbrella when weather is likely to change, we can do the mental equivelant when conciously heading into a time that we know will be difficult. This was not a theoretical discussion. It was rooted in Terry's decision to start therapy in the months preceeding her mother's recent death. This 19-minute episode could empower you to "forecast" mental-health challenges and take steps to protect yourself.

Four years ago our mother, at age 93, shared that she was not sure if she was clinically depressed or if she was just finding her final years of life depressing. Mary, who passed away last month, shared her story and a message for the children and grandchildren of seniors. Please join us in this tribute episode, honoring our mother's message.

Depression is too dark and heavy to face alone. So we're told to "reach out for help." But HOW? What words do we use, especially when we might not have the energy or the insight to articulate our struggle? And how the hell are we suppose to come up with effective language that honors we deserve help when depression convinces us no one cares, or that we're a burden. This 2-part podcast will tell you how! Our guest, Sam Dylan Finch, took the time to make a list of 10 Ways to Reach Out. In part two, we will explore the last five of them. Please listen AND share. It's potentially life-saving and certainly life-supporting information. Here is a link to Sam's article which you can print out as a reminder/resource: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-ways-to-reach-out-when-youre-struggling-with-your-mental-health/

How many times have you heard: "Reach out if you are struggling." But how? What should you say? When should you say it and to whom? It can all sound straight forward and obvious from the outside, or from wellness. But in dark times, or hours of crisis, nothing is clear. And with depression convincing you noone cares about or would want to help you, it's even more complicated. An articulate, caring and experienced mental health advocate made a list of 10 Ways to "Reach Out" When You're Struggling With Your Mental Health. We discuss his first 5 suggestions in this episode. Link to Sam's list: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-ways-to-reach-out-when-youre-struggling-with-your-mental-health/ Link to Sam's blog: letsqueerthingsup.com/tag/mental-health/

In 2017, two sisters with depression who have lost loved ones by suicide decided to start a podcast to spread first-person stories of people who live with and manage their depression so that listeners would gain information and hope. This month, one of them (the younger one) is retiring. In this intimate conversation, the sisters discussed what they've learned from more than 5 years of interviews and shedding light on the stigmatized topics of depression, suicidal thoughts, attempts and loss. It's a peek behind the curtain of two sisters with a passion for mental-health advocacy, and each other. Please listen.

For more than 5 years, Bridget has co-hosted this podcast. It was a "sister-project" from day one. Each week, we interviewed a different person about their experience of depression. Now she is stepping down to pursue her other work and responsibilities. In the first of two episodes, the sisters talk about lessons learned. It's an intimate conversation about the experience of sitting in the dark with people on a weekly basis. Please listen and if you're so inclined, leave Bridget a recorded message on our website givingvoicetodepression.com

When depressed, it can be so easy to believe that we are powerless and that there is nothing we can do to get out of depression's pit. Cognitive Behavior Therapy, or CBT, is considered one of the most effective evidence-based treatments for depression. By understanding the interplay and interconnectivity between our thoughts, feelings and behaviors, we can learn to challenge our thoughts and change our behaviors, which will directly impact how we feel. Last week's guest Patti, said while she found the concept of challenging her thoughts a difficult one to grasp, once she did, it was game-changing for her. Our guest is Dr. David Jacobi from Rogers Behavioral Health in Wisconsin. This 19-minute episode is a primer in the therapy.

Patti's mental-health journey began as a child whose parents opposed treatment and told her to "suck it up." The decades that followed have been filled with "extreme" manic and depressive episodes. At nearly 70, she has only recently learned the game-changing skill of challenging her dark thoughts and changeing her thinking patterns, something Patti never knew was even possible. It's one of three core principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT. CBT, according to the American Psychological Association, "is an approach for which there is ample scientific evidence that the methods that have been developed actually produce change," making it different from many other forms of psychological treatment. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610

We feel broken because our minds betray us. And then we find that the system we turn to for help, when we take that step, is broken itself. There are many challenges and barriers for people seeking help and treatment for mental-health challlenges and suicidal thoughts. While some groups are clearly disproportionately affected, few if any are spared the impact of stigma. From access, affordability, representation, discrimination and other factors, even when someone recognizes the need for help, they don't or can't necessarlly get it. In the second of two conversations with mental-health advocate Victor Armstrong, we look at the ways the mental-health care system itself is in crisis.

This is a blooper from our recent recording of the Season 20 in Review episode. (You can click on this link to hear the final, edited version: https://bit.ly/3szNFqC) Sometimes the words just don't come out right, or we get the giggles. Because even though we have depression, we are still quite hilarious (just ask us.) We are all so much more than our diagnoses.

How and why is it a common misconception that people with depression are weak? Imagine starting your day in a pit. Imagine battling the darkest of convincing thoughts playing non-stop in your head. Imagine having to convince yourself there is hope when your own mind is working against you. We can assure you, while it may look like "giving in" or "laziness" from the outside, it is a very different experience on the inside. Depression is NOT a weakness or personal failing. Treating it as though it is, adds to its power and danger. article quoted in episode: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/the-strength-in-depression

The stories shared on this podcast have been played nearly 800,000 times in 50 countries. It's proof that people do, in fact, want to talk about and hear about depression, suidical thoughts, bipolar disorder, and mental-health management. Most importantly, we want to know that we are not the only ones experiencing these symptoms, and that we can manage and survive them. This season-in-review is a 25-minute summary of 13 recent episodes. It's a great way to try A Depression Podcast, while staying in shallow waters. If one of the guests interests and/or inspires you, please check out the full episode. They're on all streaming services as well as at givingvoicetodepression.com

In one of the most unvarnished, unstigmatized discussions we've had to date, rapper/comedian Zane Thomas tackles everything from helping a suicidal friend to how substance use has impacted his mental health, and how talking back to depression and finding ways to laugh at his diagnosis help him cope. We talk about depression and suicidal thoughts like they're common. Because for many of us, they are. www.instagram.com/zanetherapper/

If you have depression, you know this symptom. Our guest calls it The Impossible Task. Maybe it's making your bed, doing the dishes or laundry, taking a shower or even answering the phone. It's something you've done a million times. It's pretty simple. Until it's not. Until it feels just impossible, because of depression. And then we feel guilty because we can't do some basic task. And that feeds our depression. Sound familiar? If so, this 18-minute episode will make you feel understood, and definitely not alone. Link to an article about Molly's tweets: bit.ly/37rLjm8

If you have depression, you know this symptom. Our guest calls it The Impossible Task. Maybe it's making your bed, doing the dishes or laundry, taking a shower or even answering the phone. It's something you've done a million times. It's pretty simple. Until it's not. Until it feels just impossible, because of depression. And then we feel guilty because we can't do some basic task. And that feeds our depression. Sound familiar? If so, this 18-minute episode will make you feel understood, and definitely not alone. Link to an article about Molly's tweets: https://bit.ly/37rLjm8

Shannon, a working mother of three who had always prided herself on "being strong" and independent, realized during the pandemic that there is actually strength is asking for help. From that vulnerable place, she has forged strong and supportive friendships, and a more interdependent and cooperative relationship with her husband, too. To better manage both her mental health and life in general, Shannon is also seeing a therapist regularly for the first time, trying new forms of therapy, and listening to podcasts that support her. It's a combination of support that has her in a healthier place than she has been for a long time.

When is a breakdown a breakthrough? When it convinces someone who has "soldiered through" deeply-challenging life events and depression that it's ok to take off the mask and ask for help and support. In today's episode, when a social-media influencer known for her jokes and sarcasm "gets real" about life's challenges, including her depression, her post touches a nerve and goes viral. Now, in addition to being funny, Shannon (aka @OfficialShannyPants) talks online about her mental health, therapy, meds, and the need to reach out for help and support when needed. 21-minute episode.

When Alex realized that she couldn't say goodbye to her depression, she made the choice to say goodbye to hiding it. She says admitting that she wasn't OK was the best decision she has made for her mental health. Alex now "embraces" the new person she is-- one who is both fully accepting of the fact depression is a piece of her, AND a woman determined to not let depression win. One of Alex's articles: https://alexandriabrown12.medium.com/truth-be-told-my-depression-actually-does-define-me-27ef27107f0e Alex's book: https://www.amazon.com/You-Me-Depression-Battle-Heart-ebook/dp/B07531N5TM

REPOSTING: We've just been made aware that there were audio problems this episode on some players. Our apologies. Here is episode 201 again. Savannah has a lot we can learn from. We miss what we were before depression moved in; hopeful, vital, positive, connected. In a wide-ranging conversation, GVTD speaks with Savannah Wall about her experience of depression and the things she missed the most-- including herself. The full article that prompted the episode: savannahwallsblog.wordpress.com/2018/12/2…t-page-3/

We miss what we were before depression moved in; hopeful, vital, positive, connected. In a wide-ranging conversation, GVTD speaks with Savannah Wall about her experience of depression and the things she missed the most-- including herself. The full article that prompted the episode: https://savannahwallsblog.wordpress.com/2018/12/22/when-youre-homesick-for-all-that-you-were-before-depression/comment-page-3/

Are you ok? How many times have you heard that? How many times have you asked that question? Aside from the reflexive reply (I'm fine,) what is ok? And what does it look like for you on a good day? And a bad one? That's the reality we discuss with this week's guest, Tara. She reminds us that "okay" looks different for everyone.

Today's guest, Michael Landsberg, founder of SickNotWeak, a statement, a community, and a movement, discusses the role antidepressants have had in his mental-health journey. Does he like being on meds? No. Does he like their side effects? No. Does he hate his depression more? Absolutely! Listen in as two mental-health advocates discuss the role meds have had in their depression-management and how to talk with someone who may be taking them off the table. www.sicknotweak.com/

One of depression's most insidious characteristics, is its intent to convince us we don't have it; that our dark thoughts, loss of energy, and inability to experience joy are personal characteristics and failings vs. symptoms-- that we are just too weak to handle life the way others are able to. Believing that dissuades us from treating it like a medical condition for which there are treatments. Believing that keeps us trapped in a downward spiral that costs us on many levels. The time and experiences we lose to it cannot be regained. In a candid discussion with mental-health advocate and sports journalist Michael Landberg, we talk without shame about our shared experiences and battles with depression and make the important distinction between being sick and being weak. Link to signs of depression: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007

Depression can come seemingly out of nowhere, and change (seemingly) every aspect of our days. Daily routines, designed with mental-health maintenance in mind, give us some control over how we begin and end our days. And while healthy daily habits are no guarantee our depression won't strike, at least we are better rested and nourished to fight the good fight against it. Paul's website/resources: https://weareneveralone.co/

Lost and found. That phrase comes to mind listening to Paul Marlow talk about his mental-health journey. He lost so much in the years preceding and during his descent into depression's pit. And he found a new, more-honest and healthy version of himself, too. With vulnerability, candor and insight, Paul talks about both his experience of having All That Was HIm crash down in rubble, and the deliberate and mindful way he is rebuilding his life. And himself. Paul Marlow's Never Alone site: https://weareneveralone.co/ Link to register for GVTD webinar (Tuesdays 2/8 and 2/22 from 11:30-12:15 CST:) https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hTKognWuQQmMRFiRfZV7Qg Link to the NEW suicide-prevention podcast: Stream episode The "S" Word: A Podcast about Suicide Prevention - Episode 1 by Sara Kohlbeck podcast | Listen online for free on SoundCloud

"About a third of all people experiencing mental illnesses and about half of people living with severe mental illnesses also experience substance abuse. These statistics are mirrored in the substance abuse community, where about a third of all alcohol abusers and more than half of all drug abusers report experiencing a mental illness," according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. That statistic, like all statistics, is about real people. Not numbers. This episode's guest, Donald, is one of those people. And he shares his story of dual diagnosis- living with substance use disorder in addition to depression and anxiety. NAMI re: dual diagnosis: https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Images/FactSheets/Dual-Diagnosis-FS.pdf

There is no health without mental health. So as we begin this New Year and think of the changes and resolutions we want to make, our brain health really needs to make the list. This weeks guest is psychologist, author and podcaster Dr. Margaret Rutherford. In our discussion we talk about the need for a holistic approach to life that prioritizes our mental, physical, spiritual and emotional selves. It's 21 minutes that could help you start the New Year in a very self-respectful way. https://drmargaretrutherford.com/ https://www.psychiatry.org/newsroom/news-releases/one-in-four-americans-plans-a-mental-health-new-year-s-resolution-for-2022

If the idea of a podcast on depression makes you a little nervous (will it make me depressed?) this is the perfect way to comfortably explore the power of peer support via shared stories of lived experience. In just 18 minutes, you'll hear snippets of our last eleven episodes and get a feel for why Giving Voice to Depression is a tool you're gonna want to add to your mental-health toolkit. You are not alone in the darkness. Others are there or have been there and found ways out. There is much we can learn from each other. REQUEST: We are compiling answers to the question: What does your depression tell you ABOUT YOU? Please go to givingvoicetodepression.com and use the record button in upper left corner to record an anonymous (voice only- no name) reply. If you prefer, use the voice memo feature on your phone and email it to [email protected] Hearing how predictably-similar depression's lies are will help us all de-personalize them. Thank you.

You are not required to be "joyful" or "merry" because of the date on the calendar. This is a special Christmas edition of our podcast, written and produced especially for YOU, who are struggling right now. It's only 7-minutes long, and we believe it will resonate with and comfort you like it does us. You are not alone. You do matter. People DO care. It WILL pass. Come hang out on the GIving Voice to Depression Facebook community page today if you need support. John's article, if you'd like a copy or to read vs. hear it is linked here: johnpavlovitz.com/2017/12/24/to-th…-this-christmas/

There’s an aspect of having depression that doesn’t get mentioned or addressed much. And that’s the need of some to completely redefine themselves after being taken down by the illness. Such was the case for Davey. He went from "the go-to guy" to being "just done." On disability, he dug into learning about his depression and anxiety. He found good doctors and therapists. He learned a lot. And now he wants to share the lessons that help him each day. In “It’s Really Hard to Fix Something That’s Broken With Something That’s Broken,” Davey talks about "tools for a time" and other gems. We can learn so much from each other.

Phew! There is so much to think about this time of year. From traditions, family and faith, to gifts and decorations and cooking and cleaning and traveling, and, and, and. But as we make plans for all of that, how often do we stop, check in with ourselves and factor in our mental health and whether The Expectations we've set will nourish or deplete us? This episode, a remix from a few Decembers back, offers a look at Scrooge through a therapist's compassionate lens, some advice on not getting caught up in Holiday Expectations, and "the best and kindest thing" you can do this time of year for someone in your life who is struggling. https://www.anitasanz.com/?page_id=4917

Looking for a new mental-health management tool? How about a creative one that "gets the ugly out" while maintaining your privacy? Our guest, Gina Barry, tells us how she modified the practice of writing "morning pages" into a more-private, freeing and effective way to get the darkness, depression and grief out of her head. Gina says giving your feelings a voice helps them not just sit there, on a repetitive loop. In just 19-minutes, you could learn a new technique that could help you manage your depression and other mental-health challenges. https://www.ginabarry.com/ https://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/morning-pages/ https://www.amazon.com/29-Gifts-Month-Giving-Change/dp/0738214302

My sister and I, who co-host the Givng Voice to Depression podcast, take mental health and our advocacy of it very seriously. We do not, however, take ourselves real seriously. This morning we tried to record our next episode and I simply could not say the phrase "mental-health management techniques" and my sisters HUGE laugh lets you know how much she enjoyed that. We may have a heavy, serious illness. But we are not always heavy and serious.

The pandemic has taken a toll. On our traditions and education and families and mental health. Licensed psychologist Dr. Maggie Mulqueen acknowledges this year's challenges and offers advice on both how to re-frame the holidays to make them better, as well as what to avoid to keep from making them worse. This 18-minute remix could help you in the coming weeks. Link to referenced article: www.drmaggiemulqueen.com/publications

Trauma changes us and the way we see and experience the world. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Maria Inosencia Amarante, a bilingual trauma therapist who has and is recovering from traumas in her own life. It's a candid, casual conversation that asks the critical question: Is trauma recovery real and possible?

Trauma changes us and the way we see and experience the world. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Maria Inosencia Amarante, a bilingual trauma therapist who has and is recovering from traumas in her own life. It's a candid, casual conversation that asks if recovery is real and possible.

This week, we observe Veteran's Day in the U.S. Beyond the parade and holiday, have you taken the opportunity to reach out to any veterans in your life to ask about their service experience? Their sacrifices? Their current state of being, and whether the pandemic has made any mental-health challenges they might have better or worse? It can make a real and important difference. In the second of this 2-part episode, we continue our conversation with VA Psychologist Dr. Michael McBride about the challenges vets are having during this pandemic and how civilians can help keep them connected and safe. www.veteranscrisisline.net/ www.military.com/benefits/veteran…or-veterans.html

The military veterans' world is a world unto itself. The training and experiences they have had are foreign to civilians. With Veteran's Day fast approaching in the U.S., we speak with a veteran psychologist, who himself is a vet, about the ways those who have served to protect us, can protect themselves from challenges to their mental health. Every veteran is on his/her/their own journey, and needs to make choices that are best for them.

At 14, Lacey's mental-health challenges made living a long and full life seem impossible to her. She wasn't sure she could even make it to 16. because of her crippling depression and anxiety. Now a social worker in her 20's, Lacey has the perspective of someone familiar with both the bottom of life's pit and the climb out. She sees mental health as a spectrum, and shows grace for all points on it. Our conversation is a 30,000-foot view of mental health, recovery and hope, well worth the 20 minutes it will take to listen.

A teen whose depression and suicidal thoughts were so pervasive that she did not know if she would live past the age of 16, is now a social worker helping others. She shares about her family's inability to speak openly about mental-health challenges before she did, and how her grandmother's disclosure of the generations-long family history of depression allowed her to have hope for a future.

This episode is a review of the past 11 episodes we've produced. It's also an opportunity to sample Giving Voice to Depression, so you can see that while the focus is the same (depression) the tone of each episode is as different as the guests are. Depression affects us all differently. And the ways we describe and manage it can also differ. But, somehow, knowing that others understand the weight of the condition helps us believe we're not alone and that we are understood. There is power in shared stories. And in just 22 minutes, you'll get a taste of several guests' stories and learn about a 3-day rule for depression, how holding space and hope for a new treatment can be life-saving, how a "silly selfie challenge" helped one guest break the negative cycle she was stuck in, and how the suicide of a teenage son started a mother on a journey of helping other families avoid her pain.

The "silly selfie" accompanying this episode is actually an example of one friend helping another through a really dark time. The spectrum of ways to support someone struggling with their mental health is wide, varying from acknowledging a stranger you pass (who knows when they last felt "seen,") to climbing into the darkest darkness with a friend who is suicidal. And sometimes, it's saying "get out of bed, go get yourself your favorite coffee drink and send me a silly selfie. I'll send one back." It was a social media post about that challenge that prompted this interview and episode. Article referenced in episode: Suicide Prevention Doesn't Have to Be a Huge, Scary Thing: https://bit.ly/3ixsiky

The factors that impact our mental health are varied, intertwined and sometimes difficult to distinguish. Other times they are clear as day. When living conditions are unhealthy or unsafe or when mental-healthcare is inadequate, unaffordable or inaccessible, the goal of recovery can seem unobtainable. In the third of a four-part series on the Intersectionality of Race, Trauma and Mental Health, we look at the role of treatment trauma. Our guest, Dr. Warren Braden says the best way to deal with a system that is not working (or is not designed to work for certain people) is to avoid it and to develop other avenues of self-care and recovery. Resources provided by Dr. Braden: borislhensonfoundation.org/ This foundation was created by Taraji Henson the eradicate the stigma around mental health issues that affect the Black community. www.guilford.com/books/Black-Fami…593853464/author This book by Dr. Franklin is an excellent resource for clients and therapists. The link for information about the crisis centers in Milwaukee: www.mhawisconsin.org/DirectorySearc…ListingId=1486 www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline is the link to the national hotline for depression And finally, anyone who is interested in communicating with Dr. Braden can email him at [email protected].

The world loves guarantees. We want to be assured that if A, then B. It comforts us and soothes our souls to believe in truths we can rely upon. But suicide prevention doesn't work like that. Knowing the signs and risk factors is a huge step. Being with someone and listening non-judgmentally can work wonders. But medications, therapy, doctors, hospitalizations and a loving family, cannot always protect against depression's despair. It's a Tragic Truth that just weeks after the death of her 18-year-old son to suicide, Patty is willing to discuss, to try to spare another family the pain hers is experiencing. *UPDATE: On what would have been her son's 21st birthday, Patty is encouraging random acts of kindness in his memory. Please post about yours with with hashtags #kujawastrong and #mentalhealthmatters

The mother of a teenager who recently died by suicide reaches out to other struggling teens to say emotions are hard and it's okay to need help managing them. The more honest you are about what you're going through, the more effective your treatment, therapy or other help can be. And if it's a friend who is struggling, tell someone. Depression lies. But it's our responsibility to tell the truth about what's going on. It could literally save a life. *UPDATE: In her son's memory, on what would have been his 21st birthday, Patty is asking listeners to perform a random act of kindness and to post about it on social media using the hashtags #mentalhealthmatters and #kujawastrong. Let's show each other that there is kindness and caring in the world.

He had studied psychology, been previously treated for depressive episodes and done exhaustive online research trying to understand what was happening in his mind and body. The pieces did not come together until he heard other people with depression talking about their experiences of the illness. Then he realized the darkness was not his alone. Nor was it a personal failing or weakness. Depression is common and treatable, and talking openly about it brings light to our own, and others darkness. Please take 22 minutes to listen to John's story. And share it if you think someone else might benefit from his hard-earned understanding.

He'd been treated on and off for the illness over the years. But he certainly didn't consider himself Someone With Depression. That, according to his background, would be a weakness and an unacceptable chink in his masculine armor. But during the pandemic, already reeling from the end of a relationship and sick/quarantining with Covid, John hit new lows. Concerned for his life, he began to review it, and realized he not only has depression, but he's had it for as long as he can remember. Links to ACEs test: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/media-coverage/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean/ https://www.naadac.org/assets/2416/michael_bricker_acesassessment_ac16_ho.pdf

Are you able to notice the changes in your mood, energy, outlook, etc. that happen before or at the beginning of your depressive episodes? Do you consider those warning signs an opportunity to better manage your mental health? In the second part of our conversation with Matt Zinman, he tells us about a 3-Day Rule that really works for him. He also shares other mental-health management tools he's created and shares. (links below) https://mattzinman.com/ Ps. I welcome you to add “DD100” to the show notes and the link MattZinman/LifeUpgrade That will provide a $100 Gift Code to your listeners who want to do the new course. I also have a 100% refund guarantee so it is risk-free.

This week's guest, Matt Zinman, has a unique and deep understanding of life with a mental-health challenge. He not only had his own depression, but was impacted by other members of his family who lived with their own. In the first of a 2-part interview, Matt shares about his mental-health journey. Next week, he'll share some fabulous tools and self-care techniques he's learned along the way. https://mattzinman.com/

The factors that impact our mental health are varied, intertwined and sometimes difficult to distinguish. Other times they are clear as day. When living conditions are unhealthy or unsafe or when mental-healthcare is inadequate, unaffordable or inaccessible, the goal of recovery can seem unobtainable. In the third of a four-part series on the Intersectionality of Race, Trauma and Mental Health, we look at the role of treatment trauma. Our guest, Dr. Warren Braden says the best way to deal with a system that is not working (or is not designed to work for certain people) is to avoid it and to develop other avenues of self-care and recovery. Resources provided by Dr. Braden: https://borislhensonfoundation.org/ This foundation was created by Taraji Henson the eradicate the stigma around mental health issues that affect the Black community. https://www.guilford.com/books/Black-Families-in-Therapy/Nancy-Boyd-Franklin/9781593853464/author This book by Dr. Franklin is an excellent resource for clients and therapists. The link for information about the crisis centers in Milwaukee: https://www.mhawisconsin.org/DirectorySearch/Details.aspx?pageid=160&mid=275&ListingId=1486 https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline is the link to the national hotline for depression And finally, anyone who is interested in communicating with Dr. Braden can email him at [email protected].

This is my story. The story of why I started the Giving Voice to Depression podcast. I first told it four years ago when we started this resource because it didn't seem fair to ask others to share their stories unless my sister and I did, too. I am re-posting it now because, being sick for the past several weeks I've had a lot of time to think, and question my life and my work and myself. Not in a depressed way, thankfully . But in that fevered and can't sleep way. And frankly, I think I needed to be reminded of how far I've come (mentally) so that I can honestly and passionately continue to tell anyone listening that things really truly can get better. It might not be as soon or as easily as we'd like. But everything can change. And there are things we can do when we first see the warning signs to give ourselves a better fighting chance. I didn't know that four years ago. Thanks to all the people who've shared their stories with us, I know it now. And I believe it and see it work for myself and others. Thank you for having taken this journey with us. Thank you for listening and for sharing and for caring-- for yourselves and each other. We truly are stronger together.

We have yet to meet someone who says they are glad they have depression. But over and over we hear that some, as a way of making peace with their condition, credit it with teaching them valuable lessons. Our guest Tom, is one of them. He lists 8 reasons he's grateful for his depression... BUT...

You may know the quote: “Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day, saying “I will try again tomorrow.” Jennifer tries again tomorrow. Jennifer knows the darkest of dark. She's been in that hopeless place and needed hospitalization many times. She has also tried nearly every depression med on the market. And more recently, TMS and ECT. Her extremely long and often frustrating journey has convinced her of the power of and need for HOPE. If the word itself sounds fluffy or impossible right now, that's because depression wants us to give up. Jennifer doesn't. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/electroconvulsive-therapy/about/pac-20393894 https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625

Her depression first reared its ugly head in middle school. She is now in her 40s, and despite trying a myriad of medications and having a loving support network, the darkness has been unrelenting. In a living example of the both/and (vs. either/or) reality, Jennifer is both a multiple suicide attempt survivor and one of the most-resilient and hopeful guests we've had the honor to speak with. This episode revisits an interview from 2019, and includes an update she sent the day we recorded. Next week's episode will be Jennifer's update on her mental-health journey and the new treatments that have her feeling a light has finally flipped on in her dark brain.

This 22-minute episode is a summary of the last season of Giving Voice to Depression podcast. If you have any hesitation to listen to a podcast about depression, this is a great way to sample it and get an idea about the kinds of guests we have each week. After you listen, please go to our website at givingvoicetodepression.com and use the red mic widget in the upper left corner to leave us a message.

It can be so frustrating for "mental health" to be treated as separate from "physical health," when our brains are clearly a key part of our bodies. But, as people with mental-health challenges, we aren't always mindful of how caring for our bodies is also caring for our minds. This episode is an interview with a doctor who has learned from patients, and through his own experience with panic attacks, just how intricately entwined brain and body health are. Please take 19 minutes to listen to Dr. Adel Korkor, founder of the AB Korker Foundation for mental health, our new partner. 4-minute exercise video: https://youtu.be/PwJCJToQmps GVTD podcast episodes on mindful self compassion: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/mindfulness-and-self-compassion-for-these-stressful-times and https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/bonus-track-a-brief-mindful-self-compassion-practice

We're not taught how to have these conversations.: A friend or family member is struggling. Maybe they're just "not themselves." Maybe they're suicidal. How do you offer support them? What do you say? What can you do that's actually helpful? https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/08/24/11-important-ways-my-loved-ones-supported-me-during-a-mental-health-crisis/ Part 1 of How to Support Someone: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/you-want-to-help-someone-whos-struggling-heres-how-part-1 How to ASK For Help if You Need It-Part One: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/asking-for-help-is-not-always-intuitive-sam-dylan-finch How to ASK For Help if You Need It-Part Two: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/how-to-ask-for-the-help-you-need-pt-2-sam-dylan-finch

We're not taught how to have these conversations.: A friend or family member is struggling. Maybe they're just "not themselves." Maybe they're suicidal. How do you offer support them? What do you say? What can you do that's actually helpful? https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/08/24/11-important-ways-my-loved-ones-supported-me-during-a-mental-health-crisis/ Part 1 of How to Support Someone: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/you-want-to-help-someone-whos-struggling-heres-how-part-1 How to ASK For Help if You Need It-Part One: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/asking-for-help-is-not-always-intuitive-sam-dylan-finch How to ASK For Help if You Need It-Part Two: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/how-to-ask-for-the-help-you-need-pt-2-sam-dylan-finch

For the past two weeks we've explored ways to reach out for support if you are the one struggling. Today we shift gears. What if you know someone who seems really depressed--maybe even suicidal, and they're not reaching out. How do you reach IN? In the first of two episodes, our guest Sam Dylan Finch details ways people have shown up for him in helpful and meaningful ways. Not knowing what to do is not an excuse to do nothing. Sam's blog post with all 11 suggestions: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/08/24/11-important-ways-my-loved-ones-supported-me-during-a-mental-health-crisis/ Links to two previous episodes with ways to reach out: 1) https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/asking-for-help-is-not-always-intuitive-sam-dylan-finch 2) https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/how-to-ask-for-the-help-you-need-pt-2-sam-dylan-finch Link to free Mental Health America screenings: https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/

For the past two weeks we've explored ways to reach out for support if you are the one struggling. Today we shift gears. What if you know someone who seems really depressed--maybe even suicidal, and they're not reaching out. How do you reach IN? In the first of two episodes, our guest Sam Dylan Finch details ways people have shown up for him in helpful and meaningful ways. Not knowing what to do is not an excuse to do nothing. Sam's blog post with all 11 suggestions: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/08/24/11-important-ways-my-loved-ones-supported-me-during-a-mental-health-crisis/ Links to two previous episodes with ways to reach out: 1) https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/asking-for-help-is-not-always-intuitive-sam-dylan-finch 2) https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/how-to-ask-for-the-help-you-need-pt-2-sam-dylan-finch

How many times have you heard: "Reach out if you are struggling." But it's not as easy or clear as it sounds. How? What if you don't even know what you want or need? What if your depression has convinced you no one cares, that you don't deserve help, or that you are a bother to people? It can all sound straight forward and obvious from the outside, or from wellness. But in dark times, or hours of crisis, nothing is clear. An articulate, caring and experienced mental health advocate made a list of 10 Ways to "Reach Out" When You're Struggling With Your Mental Health. We discuss his sixth through tenth suggestions in this episode. Link to Sam's list: letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-…mental-health/ Link to Sam's blog: letsqueerthingsup.com/tag/mental-health/

How many times have you heard: "Reach out if you are struggling." But it's not as easy or clear as it sounds. How? What if you don't even know what you want or need? What if your depression has convinced you no one cares, that you don't deserve help, or that you are a bother to people? It can all sound straight forward and obvious from the outside, or from wellness. But in dark times, or hours of crisis, nothing is clear. An articulate, caring and experienced mental health advocate made a list of 10 Ways to "Reach Out" When You're Struggling With Your Mental Health. We discuss his sixth through tenth suggestions in this episode. Link to Sam's list: letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-…mental-health/ Link to Sam's blog: letsqueerthingsup.com/tag/mental-health/

How many times have you heard: "Reach out if you are struggling." But how? What should you say? When should you say it and to whom? It can all sound straight forward and obvious from the outside, or from wellness. But in dark times, or hours of crisis, nothing is clear. And with depression convincing you noone cares about or would want to help you, it's even more complicated. An articulate, caring and experienced mental health advocate made a list of 10 Ways to "Reach Out" When You're Struggling With Your Mental Health. We discuss his first 5 suggestions in this episode. Link to Sam's list: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-ways-to-reach-out-when-youre-struggling-with-your-mental-health/ Link to Sam's blog: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/tag/mental-health/

How many times have you heard: "Reach out if you are struggling." But how? What should you say? When should you say it and to whom? It can all sound straight forward and obvious from the outside, or from wellness. But in dark times, or hours of crisis, nothing is clear. And with depression convincing you noone cares about or would want to help you, it's even more complicated. An articulate, caring and experienced mental health advocate made a list of 10 Ways to "Reach Out" When You're Struggling With Your Mental Health. We discuss his first 5 suggestions in this episode. Link to Sam's list: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-ways-to-reach-out-when-youre-struggling-with-your-mental-health/ Link to Sam's blog: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/tag/mental-health/

You hate your emails, Don't want to look at your computer. You get more frustrated seeing your schedule each day or week. You're exhausted and maybe angry at the day's end. Are you depressed? Or burned out? This 20-minute episode explores the differences between the two. Our guest is psychiatrist Dr. Jessi Gold. Links to articles referenced in episode: https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2021/03/04/physician-burnout-covid-19-pandemic-jessi-gold and https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html

You hate your emails, Don't want to look at your computer. You get more frustrated seeing your schedule each day or week. You're exhausted and maybe angry at the day's end. Are you depressed? Or burned out? This 20-minute episode explores the differences between the two. Our guest is psychiatrist Dr. Jessi Gold. Links to articles referenced in episode: https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2021/03/04/physician-burnout-covid-19-pandemic-jessi-gold and https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html

So many factors can contribute to and affect our mental health. Family trauma and race are certainly among them. Family norms including the belief that "what happens in the home, stays in the home" impact how mental-health challenges are recognized, diagnosed and treated. A lack of access to quality care does too. This episode looks at the intersectionality of family trauma, race and mental health. Link to video with more information: https://www.facebook.com/2016557181923354/posts/2948490168730046/?d=n MHA of WI's Next Step Clinic: http://www.mhawisconsin.org/mha-wi-counseling-clinic

So many factors can contribute to and affect our mental health. Family trauma and race are certainly among them. Family norms including the belief that "what happens in the home, stays in the home" impact how mental-health challenges are recognized, diagnosed and treated. A lack of access to quality care does too. This episode looks at the intersectionality of family trauma, race and mental health. Link to video with more information: https://www.facebook.com/2016557181923354/posts/2948490168730046/?d=n MHA of WI's Next Step Clinic: http://www.mhawisconsin.org/mha-wi-counseling-clinic

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and two messages you'll hear a lot are: "Reach out if you need support" and "If someone seems 'off,' be willing to listen to and support them." Both can sound deeply uncomfortable, if not impossible. This episode might help. It proves you don't have to be an expert to help someone who is struggling, and that "reaching out" can be less scary and energy-draining than it seems.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and two messages you'll hear a lot are: "Reach out if you need support" and "If someone seems 'off,' be willing to listen to and support them." Both can sound deeply uncomfortable, if not impossible. This episode might help. It proves you don't have to be an expert to help someone who is struggling, and that "reaching out" can be less scary and energy-draining than it seems.

The decision to explore antidepressants can be a daunting one. Is taking meds an admission that something is really wrong with you? Will drugs change your personality? What are the common side effects? If people know I'm taking them, will they see me differently? What should I expect if I make an appointment with a psychiatrist? These are some of the questions we explore this episode, with psychiatrist Dr. Jessi Gold.

The decision to explore antidepressants can be a daunting one. Is taking meds an admission that something is really wrong with you? Will drugs change your personality? What are the common side effects? If people know I'm taking them, will they see me differently? What should I expect if I make an appointment with a psychiatrist? These are some of the questions we explore this episode, with psychiatrist Dr. Jessi Gold.

When people talk about the well-established link between trauma and depression and other mental-health challenges, they tend to think of traumatic events experienced directly by the people themselves. But Generational trauma (also known as intergenerational trauma) can impact the children, grandchildren and other descendants of the directly-impacted individuals as well. Beliefs, fears, attitudes toward one’s self and others, as well as unhealthy coping mechanisms are just some of the ways inherited trauma can affect future generations. Mark Powless, Oneida Nation General Manager, talks about how the many injustices suffered by Native Americans have impacted his community and family. Resources Mark suggests: Oneida Nation website: https://oneida-nsn.gov/ Sky Woman Lives in Me by Roberta Capasso: https://www.amazon.com/Sky-Woman-Lives-Roberta-Capasso/dp/1483443469 Boarding School Seasons: American Indian Families, 1900-1940 by Brenda Child: https://www.amazon.com/Boarding-School-Seasons-American-1900-1940-dp-0803214804/dp/0803214804/ref=mt_other?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid= Healing the Sound Wound by Eduardo Duran: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Soul-Wound-Trauma-Informed-Multicultural/dp/0807761397/ref=pd_lpo_14_img_0/135-3617730-3257642?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0807761397&pd_rd_r=8061cd39-62bb-4bb8-af3f-6c70a5adeb39&pd_rd_w=7ZtBB&pd_rd_wg=i74Fv&pf_rd_p=a0d6e967-6561-454c-84f8-2ce2c92b79a6&pf_rd_r=HGSXE2H80P0180KW9PNY&psc=1&refRID=HGSXE2H80P0180KW9PNY

When people talk about the well-established link between trauma and depression and other mental-health challenges, they tend to think of traumatic events experienced directly by the people themselves. But Generational trauma (also known as intergenerational trauma) can impact the children, grandchildren and other descendants of the directly-impacted individuals as well. Beliefs, fears, attitudes toward one’s self and others, as well as unhealthy coping mechanisms are just some of the ways inherited trauma can affect future generations. Mark Powless, Oneida Nation General Manager, talks about how the many injustices suffered by Native Americans have impacted his community and family. Resources Mark suggests: Oneida Nation website: https://oneida-nsn.gov/ Sky Woman Lives in Me by Roberta Capasso: https://www.amazon.com/Sky-Woman-Lives-Roberta-Capasso/dp/1483443469 Boarding School Seasons: American Indian Families, 1900-1940 by Brenda Child: https://www.amazon.com/Boarding-School-Seasons-American-1900-1940-dp-0803214804/dp/0803214804/ref=mt_other?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid= Healing the Sound Wound by Eduardo Duran: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Soul-Wound-Trauma-Informed-Multicultural/dp/0807761397/ref=pd_lpo_14_img_0/135-3617730-3257642?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0807761397&pd_rd_r=8061cd39-62bb-4bb8-af3f-6c70a5adeb39&pd_rd_w=7ZtBB&pd_rd_wg=i74Fv&pf_rd_p=a0d6e967-6561-454c-84f8-2ce2c92b79a6&pf_rd_r=HGSXE2H80P0180KW9PNY&psc=1&refRID=HGSXE2H80P0180KW9PNY

As parents, we have a responsibility to prepare our children for life. And there's a strong possibility that future will include mental-health struggles. Speaking openly about mental illness reduces fear, misinformation and stigma. In today's episode, TJ talks about a recent conversation he had with his 9-year-old son. Now is the perfect time to start.

As parents, we have a responsibility to prepare our children for life. And there's a strong possibility that future will include mental-health struggles. Speaking openly about mental illness reduces fear, misinformation and stigma. In today's episode, TJ talks about a recent conversation he had with his 9-year-old son. Now is the perfect time to start.

Depression can make us want to give up. Trauma can add anger, shame, guilt and other strong emotions to the mix. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing and recovery. And the fact something(s) doesn't work is very different than believing nothing ever will. Renee's inspiring story is about never giving up on yourself or your recovery. When meds didn't work for her, she tried something else. Then something else. And something else. Until she eventually found therapies that allow her to feel "like a new person." You deserve the help you need, even when it's hard to find.

Depression can make us want to give up. Trauma can add anger, shame, guilt and other strong emotions to the mix. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing and recovery. And the fact something(s) doesn't work is very different than believing nothing ever will. Renee's inspiring story is about never giving up on yourself or your recovery. When meds didn't work for her, she tried something else. Then something else. And something else. Until she eventually found therapies that allow her to feel "like a new person." You deserve the help you need, even when it's hard to find.

If you wrote a song, in the depths of depression, about your depression, what would it sound like? Singer/songwriter Demetra Prochaska shares her song (i'm not okay) and some of the details of her mental-health struggles and journey. This 24-minute episode offers many mental-health tools for your self-care kit. Demetra's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCijatOUHQY9g-hjS4_mBzqQ

If you wrote a song, in the depths of depression, about your depression, what would it sound like? Singer/songwriter Demetra Prochaska shares her song (i'm not okay) and some of the details of her mental-health struggles and journey. This 24-minute episode offers many mental-health tools for your self-care kit. Demetra's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCijatOUHQY9g-hjS4_mBzqQ

People with heart problems do not wait for a heart attack to address them. People with diabetes do not rely solely on an epipen to control their illness. And people with mental health challenges cannot wait until suicidal thoughts necessitate emergency actions. Self-care and depression-management involve tuning in with your changing thoughts/moods, establishing and using a safety plan and personalized tools that work for you. No illness is easier to treat when it's an emergency https://qz.com/1381952/suicide-hotlines-really-do-save-lives-i-know-because-one-saved-mine/

People with heart problems do not wait for a heart attack to address them. People with diabetes do not rely solely on an epipen to control their illness. And people with mental health challenges cannot wait until suicidal thoughts necessitate emergency actions. Self-care and depression-management involve tuning in with your changing thoughts/moods, establishing and using a safety plan and personalized tools that work for you. No illness is easier to treat when it's an emergency https://qz.com/1381952/suicide-hotlines-really-do-save-lives-i-know-because-one-saved-mine/

Suicide prevention hotlines are available 24/7, ensuring there is always somewhere and someone you can turn to when in crisis. That does not mean there is no one in your life who would help, though it may mean depression has convinced you that's the case. Corinne Purtill credits the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK) with saving her life, and she's speaking up so that we'll know the bottom does not need to mean the end. qz.com/1381952/suicide-hotli…cause-one-saved-mine/

Suicide prevention hotlines are available 24/7, ensuring there is always somewhere and someone you can turn to when in crisis. That does not mean there is no one in your life who would help, though it may mean depression has convinced you that's the case. Corinne Purtill credits the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK) with saving her life, and she's speaking up so that we'll know the bottom does not need to mean the end. qz.com/1381952/suicide-hotli…cause-one-saved-mine/

The thoughts we have and the words we chose not only define depression, but predict it. In this episode, we speak with a researcher who anaylyzes online mental health forums and other writing samples. Using computers to analyze the words, he finds a direct connection between "absolutist" words and depression, anxiety and suicide. It's good to know the words so we can recognize them in ourselves and others. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/depression-language-differently-mental-health-kurt-cobain-a8194731.html

The thoughts we have and the words we chose not only define depression, but predict it. In this episode, we speak with a researcher who anaylyzes online mental health forums and other writing samples. Using computers to analyze the words, he finds a direct connection between "absolutist" words and depression, anxiety and suicide. It's good to know the words so we can recognize them in ourselves and others. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/depression-language-differently-mental-health-kurt-cobain-a8194731.html

If you've ever wondered what a podcast on depression sounds and feels like, in just 18 minutes, you can sample 12 episodes of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast in this season in review. From the power of breath, to how to talk to a suicidal friend, the need for hope, and how the pandemic has challenged our mental health on many levels to the fact depression is an illness vs a weakness and other topics of concern to those of us with depression, we summarize the past dozen episodes so that you can tune into full versions of any that interest you.

If you've ever wondered what a podcast on depression sounds and feels like, in just 18 minutes, you can sample 12 episodes of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast in this season in review.

We learned this week that even Royals are impacted by stigma and discrimination when seeking help and treatment for mental-health challlenges and suicidal thoughts. From access, affordability, representation, discrimination and other factors, even when someone recognizes the need for help, they don't or can't necessarlly get it. In the second of two conversations with mental-health advocate Victor Armstrong, we look at the ways the mental-health care system itself is in crisis.

We learned this week that even Royals are impacted by stigma and discrimination when seeking help and treatment for mental-health challlenges and suicidal thoughts. From access, affordability, representation, discrimination and other factors, even when someone recognizes the need for help, they don't or can't necessarlly get it. In the second of two conversations with mental-health advocate Victor Armstrong, we look at the ways the mental-health care system itself is in crisis.

How and why is it a common misconception that people with depression are weak? Imagine starting your day in a pit. Imagine battling the darkest of convincing thoughts playing non-stop in your head. Imagine having to convince yourself there is hope when your own mind is working against you. We can assure you, while it may look like "giving in" or "laziness" from the outside, it is a very different experience on the inside. Depression is NOT a weakness or personal failing. Treating it as though it is, adds to its power and danger.

How and why is it a common misconception that people with depression are weak? Imagine starting your day in a pit. Imagine battling the darkest of convincing thoughts playing non-stop in your head. Imagine having to convince yourself there is hope when your own mind is working against you. We can assure you, while it may look like "giving in" or "laziness" from the outside, it is a very different experience on the inside. Depression is NOT a weakness or personal failing. Treating it as though it is, adds to its power and danger.

If, like us, you're mental-health tools are a little worn out with the pandemic and other stressors and challenges of the past year, the idea of tracking your symptoms might be worth exploring. Notes can give us an objective, quantifiable way to recognize changes in our mental health. And the information could help professionals and other members of our support team, too. The information could also allow us to get ahead of a slide, if we notice it before we're too impacted to be able to react and step-up self-care efforts. Article links: https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/ways-to-stay-steady-with-bipolar-disorder https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/winter-and-low-mood Mental Health Apps https://www.psycom.net/25-best-mental-health-apps

If, like us, you're mental-health tools are a little worn out with the pandemic and other stressors and challenges of the past year, the idea of tracking your symptoms might be worth exploring. Notes can give us an objective, quantifiable way to recognize changes in our mental health. And the information could help professionals and other members of our support team, too. The information could also allow us to get ahead of a slide, if we notice it before we're too impacted to be able to react and step-up self-care efforts. Article links: https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/ways-to-stay-steady-with-bipolar-disorder https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/winter-and-low-mood Mental Health Apps https://www.psycom.net/25-best-mental-health-apps

What if... when depression reached the point you could no longer ignore it, or anxiety reached a level it interfered with your life, you could react the same way you would if any other part of your body was creating a problem for you? You'd mention it to a friend. You'd call your doctor. You'd feel free to say "this hurts!" But when the part "not working" is our brains, we feel embarrassed or ashamed or reluctant (or not worthy) to get help help. That's the price of stigma. In this third episode of a 3-part series on the stigma of mental illness, we look at how much better- and SAFER - life would be, if people just recognized mental-health challenges the same way they do physical-health challenges.

In the third of our 3-part series on how ignorance and discrimination (i.e. stigma) affect people with mental-health conditions, we look at how our lives would be better and safer if mental health was treated like physical health is.

"The stigma of mental illness" What does that really mean? Is it a real thing? Does it matter? YES! Stigma is very real and the fact people are judged (and/or fear being judged) for having a mental-health diagnosis discourages many from seeking help or treatment. This short (15-minute) podcast is the 2nd in an 3-part series on stigma. Depression is not a choice. Ignorance and discrimination are.

The phrase "stigma of mental illness" is at once overused and not understood. What does it mean? Why does it matter? Why should I care? In the second of a 3-part series on how negative associations with mood disorder diagnoses negatively impact those of us who live with them, we ask a number of past guests if stigma is evident to them, and if so, in what ways. https://www.mhanational.org/b4stage4-philosophy

We've all heard the phrase "stigma of mental illness." But what does it mean and how can "fight it?" One of the world's leading researchers in the matter, Dr. Patrick Corrigan, says the most-effective way is by speaking openly and shamelessly about what's going on in our minds and bodies. Corrigan lives with and manages a number of mental-health challenges, and when he and others (like our podcast guests) say "this is what I live with, here's how it challenges me, these are my warning signs, my treatments and self-care tools," we're starting discussion that open eyes and hearts and show vs. "educate" people that those of us living with mental-health challenges are "as competent, able and empowered as everybody else."

We've all heard the phrase "stigma of mental illness." But what does it mean and how can "fight it?" One of the world's leading researchers in the matter, Dr. Patrick Corrigan, says the most-effective way is by speaking openly and shamelessly about what's going on in our minds and bodies. Corrigan lives with and manages a number of mental-health challenges, and when he and others (like our podcast guests) say "this is what I live with, here's how it challenges me, these are my warning signs, my treatments and self-care tools," we're starting discussion that open eyes and hearts and show vs. "educate" people that those of us living with mental-health challenges are "as competent, able and empowered as everybody else."

Today's guest, Michael Landsberg, founder of SickNotWeak, "a statement, a community, a movement," discusses the role antidepressants have had in his mental-health journey. Does he like being on meds? No. Does he like their side effects? No. Does he hate his depression more? Absolutely! Listen in as two mental-health advocates discuss the role meds have had in their depression-management and how to talk with someone who may be taking them off the table. https://www.sicknotweak.com/

One of depression's most insidious characteristics, is its intent to convince us we don't have it; that our dark thoughts, loss of energy, and inability to experience joy are personal characteristics and failings vs. symptoms-- that we are just too weak to handle life the way others are able to. Believing that dissuades us from treating it like a medical condition for which there are treatments. Believing that keeps us trapped in a downward spiral that costs us on many levels. The time and experiences we lose to it cannot be regained. In a candid discussion with mental-health advocate and sports journalis Michael Landberg, we talk without shame about our shared experiences and battles with depression and make the important distinction between being sick and being weak.

A holistic therapist addresses the need for and importance ot hope, and offers some of the advice she gives her own clients. Lauren Bittner, who has extensive experience treating anxiety, depression and addiction, speaks compassionately and realistically about the challenges of being human in 2021. https://lauren1bittner.wixsite.com/instillhope

It can be very, very difficult to acknowledge or find, but some say there are gifts in our depression: "terrible gifts." Depression is, to put it mildly, an unwanted guest in our minds and bodies. Yet, for those who experience it regularly, it can help to look for some value, some lessons or even inspiration in the experience. Kristin "owns her shadow," and uses depression's voice to express herself in poetry. Hers is a gentle, allowing and unique perspective on an illness many of us simply despise. To learn more about Kristin and her poetry: KristinRoedell.wikidot.com

No matter how dark a place you are or have been, and how alone you felt when you were there, there are others who have had similar experiences and made it out. By sharing their stories/experiences they also light a path out for us to follow. Jordan is one such person. He freely shares about his lowest points, knowing that his lived experience is a way to connect with others and show them that recovery is real and possible. Please take 19 minutes to listen.

If you are struggling this holiday season, with depression, loneliness, grief or anything else that really hurts, please know that many others feel the same way, and that you will not always feel the way you do today. If you live in the U.S., please call 800-273-8255 or text 741-741 and talk to a trained listener, if you do not have another option. If you live elsewhere, please Google "crisis line." Giving Voice to Depression has a Facebook page with thousands of people with depression who support each other. Please hold on and know that you DO matter. This holiday, and this terrible feeling will pass. You Matter!! (This was recorded years ago, and referenced Christmas, but it is even more true today, and applies to any holiday and/or the end of this unprecedented year.)

Hearing the stories of how other people survive and manage life with depression inspired Dan, a GVTD podcast listener to reach out to share- for the first time publicly- about his own battle with depression, his hospitalization and more. In a wide-ranging, candid, casual conversation, he offers his comments in the hopes of both thanking the people who helped him, and to offer support and hope to those now listening to him. Please take 18 minutes to listen to Dan's healing conversation.

2020 challenged us on many levels including economic, political, social justice, overall health and mental health. Licensed psychologist R. Kweku Smith joins us for a look back-- while also focusing on what we can do to maintain or restore our mental health as we try to recover and move on from this unprecedented year.

In one of the most unvarnished, unstigmatized discussions we've had to date, rapper/comedian Zane Thomas tackles everything from helping a suicidal friend to how substance use has impacted his mental health, and how talking back to depression and finding ways to laugh at his diagnosis help him cope. We talk about depression and suicidal thoughts like they're common. Because for many of us, they are. https://www.instagram.com/zanetherapper/

The list of things that feel or are out of our control right now is long. But for most of us, breath is something we can access anytime and breathing consciously is a quick, free and effective form of meditation. Our guest, Ambrose WB, joined us for a casual, honest and potentially-healing conversation about taking and keeping control during this pandemic, and any other time. 19-minute episode. https://skyschools.org/

2020 has been a year like no other. Its year-end holidays will be too. Licensed psychologist Dr. Maggie Mulqueen acknowledges this year's challenges and threats and offers advice on both how to re-frame the holidays to make them better, as well as what to avoid to keep from making them worse. It's 19 minutes that could help you in the coming weeks. Link to referenced article: https://www.drmaggiemulqueen.com/publications

Last week we observed Veteran's Day. This, and every day, we have the opportunity to help connect with and support the veterans in our lives. In the second of this 2-part episode, we continue our conversation with VA Psychologist Dr. Michael McBride about the challenges vets are having during this pandemic and how civilians can help keep them connected and safe. https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/be-there-for-veterans.html

The military veteran world is a culture to itself. While that provides connection on one level, it can cause feelings of disconnect on others. Dr. Michael McBride, a veteran and Veteran's Administration psychiatrist who treats and supports vets with some level of mental-health distress including PTSD and depression. In the first of a 2-part interview, we ask Dr. McBride if the pandemic has impacted his clients' mental health, and what veterans can do to protect themselves and manage their challenges. Next week we'll look at ways civilians, including family and friends can help the veterans in their lives. Thank you for your service and the sacrifices it required. Resource links: https://www.veteranscrisisline.nedt/ https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/be-there-for-veterans.html https://servingtogetherproject.org/ https://www.facebook.com/RRHouseMHA/

Living with a mental illness can be quite challenging. Living with and caring for someone with a condition like depression or bipolar disorder, especially a parent, can be "punishing." That's the word this week's guest, Michelle Dickinson, uses to describe being the child (and sometimes caretaker) of a mother with bipolar disorder. It's a candid conversation between two women who understand and experience the impact of growing up with unpredictability, confusion and fear. https://www.michelleedickinson.com/ https://www.michelleedickinson.com/protecting-our-happy/ https://breakingintomylife.com/

We need all the help we can get to deal with the unrelenting blows of 2020. And Mindful Self Compassion offers tools that can help us. This bonus track is a 9-minute guided MSC practice, with Dr. Barbara Moser, a Mindful Self Compassion teacher, mental health and suicide-prevention advocate and retired physician. Feel free to download this so it's handy if/when you need it.

2020 is testing us. Even the most resilient among us are feeling the strain. Our reserves are depleted. Mindful Self Compassion offers tools that can help us help ourselves; taking short, needed breaks to re-ground and re-frame, speaking to ourselves as we would a dear friend, and deep-breathing. Our guest, Dr. Barbara Moser, is a MSC teacher, a fierce mental health and suicide-prevention advocate, and a retired medical doctor. She talks about the times, how MSC can help, and then leads us through two practices, teaching us the simple, proven-effective techniques. It's 24 minutes that could make a lifetime of difference if the tools appeal to you. https://self-compassion.org/ link to BONUS MSC Practice: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/bonus-track-a-brief-mindful-self-compassion-practice Link to Barbara's first episode: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/mindfulness-and-self-compassion-for-these-stressful-times Link to Barbara's MSC site: CompassionMKE.com

In these upside-down and unpredictable times, it can feel like everything is out of our control. That makes tools like mindfulness and self compassion even more important since they are readily-accessible tools that can help us regulate and cope with difficult emotions. And when life finally settles (which it will!) these valuable tools will still be available in our self-care and depression-management toolboxes. Link to more information, exercises and research: self-compassion.org/ Link to research on mindfulness American Mindfulness Research Association: goamra.org/resources/reviewsmeta-analysis/

"How Are You?" It used to be almost a throw-away question, with the expected answer "fine." Not anymore. Between a deadly and lingering global pandemic, contentious and divided election season, civil unrest over systemic racism, job losses and the countless changes to our everyday routines, these are trying times. To put it mildly. Our guest this week, podcast listener Hobbs, says his emotions have never been more mercurial or closer to the surface. Can you relate?

In just 21 minutes, you can sample more than a dozen recent episodes of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast. Interviews in this episode focus on mental health during the pandemic and others produced specifically for Suicide Prevention Month. If you're curious about a podcast on depression, whether it would "be depressing," etc. this is an easy way to sample. Thank you for listening. You are not alone. You DO matter. Depression lies. Links to full episodes: 146: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/could-covid-19-finally-destigmatize-mental-illnenss 147: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/147-returning-to-work-saaire-salton 148: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/148-mental-health-on-the-covid-frontline 149: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/149-stigma-v-recovery-bipolar-disorder-pt1 150: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/150-stigma-vs-recovery-bipolar-disorder-part2 151: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/151-putting-the-breaks-on-a-racing-mind 152: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/152-children-and-depression-susan-ringle 153: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/153-how-the-lies-i-believed-lead-me-to-attempt-suicide-1 154: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/suicide-prevention-month-compilation1 155: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/suicide-prevention-month-compilation1 156: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/156-a-plan-to-keep-you-well-and-safe 157: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/157-planning-for-a-possible-mental-health-crisis

We buy all kinds of insurance to protect ourselves. A Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is "emotional insurance." It can help us recognize when/why we are in A Good Place, warn us if/when we (or our minds) start to wander into Less-Good Places, and can protect us and give us some control in a mental-health crisisi. In this episode, Katrina Copple, an advanced-level WRAP facilitator, continues walking us through the process of making a personalized WRAP plan-- something we create when we're well, to speak to and for us when we are not. links: https://copelandcenter.com/ https://mentalhealthrecovery.com/info-center/ www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/WRAP.pdf

Let's face it: Self-care is not always a priority. But for those of us living with mental-health challenges, NOT caring for ourselves can put us on a path toward possible crisis. There are daily actions we can take to nourish and center ourselves. And there are triggers we need to recognize and manage. We all have early warning signs that our "wellness" is being threatened. But do we know and heed them? Today's podcast is the first of a 2-part look at how to make a Wellness Action Recovery Plan (WRAP) to guide you along the continuum of wellness to possible crisis. By making choices and spelling out a personalized plan when we are well, we can better manage and survive any times when we are not. WRAP Facilitator and CPS Katrina Copple is our guest. Program links: https://mentalhealthrecovery.com/ https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/WRAP.pdf

If you are thinking that you don't matter, that you're a failure and a burden and that things will never get better- STOP. Take 21 minutes to listen to a group of people who have had those same thoughts. Some acted on them and lived to regret their attempts. Others came close. ALL are talking to you, offering the powerful message that things can and do get better. TRUST THEM, not depression. Links mentioned in podcast: Columbia Protocol Questionnaire: https://cssrs.columbia.edu/the-columbia-scale-c-ssrs/cssrs-for-families-friends-and-neighbors/ Full episodes with the people featured: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/113-things-can-and-do-get-better https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/114-im-glad-i-survived-jeannine-part-2 https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/a-suicide-attempt-survivors-story-of-hope-mark-henick https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/if-you-see-something-say-something https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/120-instant-regret https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/123-i-didnt-know-what-to-do https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/act-before-a-crisis-maintaining-mental-health https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/crisis-lines-save-lives-corinne-purtill https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/black-mental-health-matters https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/survivor-steve https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/this-is-her-brave

In depression's grip, it can be nearly impossible to believe that you will not always feel like you do right now. That you will reconnect with your worth and live a life worth living. But it's true. As Suicide Prevention Month (or Suicide Prevention Awareness Month) begins, we pulled five interviews from our archives that address misconceptions about suicide, the value of crisis lines, and a real-life reminder that suicidal crises pass. Things can and do get better. Links to the full episodes with each guest are below. Episode links, in order: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/suicide-myths-and-misconceptions-mark-henick https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/a-suicide-attempt-survivors-story-of-hope-mark-henick https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/national-suicide-prevention-lifeline-dr-john-draper https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/crisis-lines-save-lives-corinne-purtill https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/103-crisis-text-line https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/college-depression-justin

If you have experience with depression, odds are you've experienced its dark thoughts: You are worthless. A burden. Your best days are long gone. Your worst will be worse than your terrible now. What's the point? But the fact you just read that is a clue: Depression tells us all the same thing. And that should be cause for doubt it's actually true about you. But since we don't talk about depression and suicide, we each experience it as a private hell. Todays guest, Bob, wants you to know you are not alone, and that the lies aren't true. And that believing them, could literally kill you. Bob speaks of his lowest-low, and shares how, just a few years later, he's living an authentic life "at the starting point of what happiness is really about." There is hope. There is help. You are not alone. Trust someone who knows. Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255) Crisis Text Line: 741-741 Free online mental-health screening and resources: https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools Suicide Warning Signs: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/warning-signs-of-suicide/index.shtml https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools

It's back to school time. And even though that experience is a very-different one this year because of the COVID pandemic, some things are the same. One is the fact that there will be students who experience depression. And if their parents are a potential source of support (emotional and/or financial) they may need to be informed. But how? What if you're afraid they'll dismiss you or tell you to deal with it yourself? That was one college student's fears when he wrote GVTD asking us to do an episode about how to have that discussion. So here are some tips from a therapist on how to best approach the subject.

Depression is a mental illness that affects how we think, feel and act. Those who have made the effort to learn the symptoms or warning signs still often expect depression to look like sadness. But that leads to us missing the opportunity to help many who present differently. Like children. In this episode, therapist Susan Ringle, who works with and helps children and their families as a registered play therapist, shares her behind-the-scenes expertise and tells us what to look for in children who don't have the words to tell us what's going on in their minds and bodies. Mental Health America self-screening tools: https://screening.mhanational.org/

A Giving Voice to Depression podcast listener, who had never spoken publicly about his history or struggles, shares several powerful and memorable metaphors for the experience of living with depression. Wait for the spreadsheet comment- it alone is worth the 16 minutes it takes to listen to this episode!

You don't have to have depression to be familiar with the cycles of negative thoughts; self shame, blame, doubt and self-criticism. Guest and author Dr. Steven C. Hayes explains how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help "get out of your mind and into your life." In his workbook by that name, Dr. Hayes defines the ACT process as one that hinges on the distinction between pain and suffering." In it, and this episode he helps us "learn to let go of your struggle against pain, assess your values, and then commit to acting in ways that further those values." It's 21-minutes that could help you regain control over your controlling thoughts. https://stevenchayes.com/about/

Michelle was told that getting professional help for her mental illnesses would be a stain on her "permament record" that would prevent her from getting into a prestigious college or worse (in her parents' minds) from finding a husband. So her bipolar disorder and anxiety went undiagnosed and untreated for decades. Michelle's story is one of stigma, unnecessary pain and ultimate recovery. Michelle's article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/asian-american-mental-illness_n_5cacad09e4b02e7a705dae97 Michelle's Blog: http://www.livingwellhappily.com/

She knew something was wrong. That she was "different." At times she could not distinguish reality from her troubled thoughts. She begged her parents to bring her to a professional to get help. But they were afraid a diagnosis of mental illness would prevent her from getting into a good college or from finding a husband. So she suffered. Michelle Yang's story is a powerful and important one. Recovery does not happen in the shameful dark. Michelle's Blog: http://www.livingwellhappily.com/ Michelle's article we referenced: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/asian-american-mental-illness_n_5cacad09e4b02e7a705dae97

We frequently hear about the high-risk groups for COVID-19. Less attention is paid to the people most likely to have their mental health challenged by the pandemic. Healthcare workers are high on that list. A hospital chaplain/spiritual-care specialist gives us a look behind the curtain at what she sees in the Wisconsin hospitals she's worked in during this strange, historic time. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/07/coronavirus-special-mental-health-disaster/613510/ https://time.com/5817435/covid-19-mental-health-coronavirus/

This pandemic has been a roller-coaster. Many of us had our depression and anxiety worsen as a result of the many changes to our daily lives. Now, as our world begin to reopen, there are new stressors and concerns. In this 19-minute episode, we talk with therapist Sa'Aire Salton who challenges businesses to encourage frank discussions with employees to address back-to-work worries. https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/employee-mental-health https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/detecting-depression#1

We have all been there. Something we've done routinely without strain, suddenly becomes The Impossible Task. Take a shower? Dishes in the sink? Laundry (yep, putting it away, too!) Returning or answering calls. In this 17-minute podcast episode, we talk with author M. Molly Backes, who knows depression from the inside, too, we discuss this unacknowledged symtom of depression. And she gives it a name, to make it easier to hold.

Need a laugh? If you listen to our Giving Voice to Depression podcast, you know that I (Terry ) co-host with my sister, Bridget. What you may not realize is that I am also the producer, which means I have to listen for pacing, pronunciation, etc. and make sure the episode is clear and engaging. Steve, our audio engineer, has a lot of jobs too, including walking behind us like the guy with the bucket behind the elephant in a parade, making sure you never see the ... well... mistakes. But we make them all the time! This blooper is from our session recording tomorrow's episode, "The Impossible Task" with guest Molly Backes. (Full, cleaned-up version posting 6/30/20)

As "invisible" illnesses depression, anxiety and other mental-health challenges are misunderstood, dismissed, even discounted. But living in the stressful, unfamiliar and threatening environment of the COVID-19 pandemic has been an "equalizier." People who have never before conciously had their productivity, abilities and overall well-being affected by something out of their control suddenly find themselves in "our boat." And psychiatrist Jessica Gold thinks that could be what finally destigmatizes mental illness. Please join us for this 17-minute conversation. https://time.com/5835960/coronavirus-mental-illness-stigma/ http://www.mhawisconsin.org/depressivedisorders.aspx http://www.mhawisconsin.org/anxiety_disorders.aspx https://mhanational.org/covid19

If you thought it was hard to get work done when you "just" battled depression or anxiety, now we're trying to be productive with our mental-health challenges AND new, strange and uncertain conditions including a global pandemic and racial-injustice protests. In the second of a 2-part interview with writer Sarah Fielding, we look at more strategies to get our work done even when struggling mentally.

Whether you're continuing to work from home, returning to a job that looks different than before, are looking for new work, or running your home, it can be really hard to get things done when struggling with your mental health. In the first of a 2-part discussion about "Tips for Getting Work Done When You're Struggling," our guest, Sarah Fielding, offers some help.

A psychiatrist who has treated more than 3,000 people with depression, says it's time to re-frame how we characterize, treat and view people with depression. The current way is not only stigmatizing and potentially dangerous, but flat-out wrong in his experience. Link to Dr. Cantopher's book if you're interested in learning more: www.amazon.com/Depressive-Illnes…ems/dp/1847092357

Let's just take a moment, a breath and ask... WTH? (That's "what the hell" for anyone wondering.) The minute it was clear COVID-19 was something that would change our lives and threaten our mental health, we devoted a full season to how to monitor, protect and prioritize our mental health during this global pandemic. From top-level, national mental-health resources to a trusted therapist's advice, to a light-hearted yet vulnerable look at how far two people went to avoid sinking into depression to mindful self-compassion exercises and more, every episode is filled with information and support that's more-personal and understanding than what we're hearing on TV. Please take 18 minutes to hear snippets from each episode, and then listen in full to any/all that resonate with you. We are in different boats, but the same unfamiliar ocean. We're stronger together.

In these strange and disconnected times, it can be grounding to be reminded we are all connected. We may not be in the same boat during this pandemic, but we are in the same unfamiliar and unpredicatable ocean. In this episode, Dr. Barbara Moser, a certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher, guides us in an excercise of connection and strength. It's a bonus episode we hope you'll download and use as needed to manage difficult emotions. More info, research, meditations and exercises: https://self-compassion.org/ ++++

In these upside-down and unpredictable times, mindfulness and self compassion are two readily-accessible tools to help us regulate and cope with difficult emotions. And when this pandemic ends, they'll still be valuable tools in our self-care and depression-management toolboxes. Link to more information, exercises and research: https://self-compassion.org/ Link to research on mindfulness American Mindfulness Research Association: https://goamra.org/resources/reviewsmeta-analysis/

How far would you go to protect your mental health during the COVID pandemic? Would you move in with someone you'd only met twice? That's what Glenn did, in an effort to keep depression under control during this strange and stressful time. It's a "Social Experiment of The Times," and one that had co-host Terry laughing for much of the interview. This episode is intentionally lighter, since we all need a break from bad news!

How are you? Really? Is this whole pandemic causing you stress? Anxiety? Loneliness? Is your depression worse? It may be normal to feel exhausted and a number of other things in these strange and unsettling times, but it doesn't make it easy. Or healthy. In this podcast episode we talk with a man who says his feelings and emotions are on the surface more than ever.

Author and psychologist Dr. Melanie Greenberg writes: "The novel coronavirus epidemic has hit the world with a vengeance, creating widespread illness, fear, panic, uncertainty, and death. In many ways, it is the perfect storm of conditions to trigger automatic, primitive brain reactions to danger." Greenberg offers 5 ways we can rewire our brains to regain some control in these out-of-control times. Link to article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/202003/5-ways-rewire-your-brain-deal-coronavirus-stress Dr. Greenberg's website: https://drmelaniegreenberg.com/about/

In times of distress and challenge, we all need a trusted advisor to guide us through the maze of anxiety, changes, losses and fears. That's what Psychologist Anita Sanz is during this pandemic. Her first episode last week got more plays more quickly than any other episode we've posted. We don't all have a good, calm, reliable therapist. And if we do, a second one (who doesn't charge) is welcome! We continue our discussion with Dr. Sanz discussing the possible take-aways from this scary disruption, as well as some ideas for starying connected when social distancing is a requirement.

Whether you live with a mental health challenge or not, the speed and scope of the changes we're all experiencing are affecting our mental health. According to a recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 4 out of 5 adults say the coronavirus pandemic has affected their mental health. So we asked a therapist to share how she's counseling her clients through the pandemic. The 15 minutes it takes to listen, could save you not only a session fee, but help ease your anxiety.

With the constant bombardment of news (both accurate and misleading) regarding COVID-19 and the risk to the people who get it, we wanted to share the first-person story of a family of four that has tested positive. What is their experience? What is their message to those of us who are worried? Pablo's YouTube posts: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7WvvjxyQGq6BYrrR8rqnDAZvI9AqOjMN

You do not have to go through this global healthcare crisis alone. Mental Health America has created and curated trusted and current mental-health information and online self-help resources from a network of reliable sources. Links below for free, confidential screenings to determine the effects this pandemic is having on your mental health, and to access individualized support recommendations. https://mhanational.org/covid19 https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools

As parents, we have a responsibility to prepare our children for life. And there's a strong possibility that future will include mental-health struggles. Speaking openly about mental illness reduces fear, misinformation and stigma. In today's episode, TJ talks about a recent conversation he had with his 9-year-old son. Now is the perfect time to start. https://www.webmd.com/depression/qa/what-are-signs-and-symptoms-of-depression-in-children

A 17-minute summary of this season's episodes, including: a father's journey of education and enlightenment from thinking depression was a bad choice to understanding it as an illness; a discussion of how pets play a protective role in our lives; the story of a widow who was convinced to keep the cause of her husband's death by suicide a secret- and the personal cost of that decision; to discussions with a medical researcher about the specific words that indicate "distorted thinking" and can affect our moods, to a 2-part discussion of the fragile, dangerous time beetween inpatient and outpatient psych care. If one or more of the "samples" catches your ear and attention, please listen to it in its entirety. All episodes are under 20 minutes for your convenience.

The time between inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care is a very fragile one for people who may be suicidal. In the second of our 2-part conversation with Becky Stoll, we discuss some of the best-practices that have been identified, and the ways she and others are working to raise the care bar, and prioritize not only saving lives, but helping patients create and maintain lives they find purposeful and worth living. Resources mentioned in episode: https://time.com/5709368/how-to-solve-suicide/ and https://www.dropbox.com/s/40c9se12z4dorv2/AA-Best%20Practices%20v9.pdf?dl=1

As the psychiatric patient, we want to leave the hospital well. Not in crisis. Certainly not suicidal. As the care facility, you want to believe your patients will continue care and recovery. And as the families and loved ones of the people who needed emergency care. we want to exhale and declare the danger passed. But none of those are guaranteed realities in the current mental-health system. In fact, post-discharge is documented to be an extremely-risky time for suicide. In part one of a two-part look at care transition and post-discharge realities, our guest is Becky Stoll, VP for Crisis and Disaster Management for Centerstone, a community-based mental health center. https://time.com/5709368/how-to-solve-suicide/ file:///C:/Users/there/Downloads/AA-Best%20Practices%20v9.pdf

The thoughts we have and the words we chose not only define depression, but predict it. In this episode, we speak with a researcher who anaylyzes online mental health forums and other writing samples. Using computers to analyze the words, he finds a direct connection between "absolutist" words and depression, anxiety and suicide. It's good to know the words so we can recognize them in ourselves and others. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/depression-language-differently-mental-health-kurt-cobain-a8194731.html

Losing a loved one to suicide is very different from death by other causes. It can be made even worse by thoughtless or hurtful comments. Likewise, because many don't know what to say, they offer no condolences leaving the grieving person/people feeling shunned, further perpetuating stigma around suicide. In "Words Matter When Discussing Suicide," Deb Sherwood shares the outrageous comments that were made after her husband's suicide. She also offers some tips on better alternatives. Article on recommended things to say after a suicide: https://www.self.com/story/help-friend-suicide-loss-survivor

"Shame festers in dark places. The more the family hides, or denies, that their loved one died by suicide, the more the shame will grow inside of them. By keeping the suicide secret, they are buying into the idea that their loved one did something shameful, and that it brought shame to them." That's a quote from Dr. Stacey Freedenthal, a researcher, author, and suicide educator. It sounds academic. But imagine if the very day you found your beloved husband of 31 years dead by his own hand, you were convinced to keep his suicide a secret. That's Deb Sherwood's story. And it's a lesson for all that secrecy breeds shame, and light allows healing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/left-behind-after-suicide https://www.speakingofsuicide.com/2013/06/30/keeping-suicide-secret/?subscribe=success#blog_subscription-2

"Clinical depression is a gradual process of falling out of recovery, ultimately leading to the inability to function. By regularly monitoring the state of your body, mind and spirit, it is possible to identify relapse symptoms early on and take action to prevent major depression." This episode is a disccusion with author Douglas Bloch, who wrote that. Douglas believes there are identifiable stages before depression that offer opportunities to prevent full relapse. Douglas's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/healingdepression Blog post re: Relapse Prevention: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/preventing-depression-relapse-douglas-bloch

A candid conversation with a father and grandfather about his journey to understanding and accepting depression as a real and serious illness. Though he grew up believing we could all "chose to be positive," when his own daughter was diagnosed and hospitalized, he quickly realized he'd been wrong.

If you have a pet, you understand the value of the connection you have. In today's episode, we speak with a woman about the integral role her dogs play in her mental health. Whether or not you're an animal lover, it's a good reminder of the needs for companionship, exercise, acceptance, a schedule, etc. Lori's matchmaking website: www.smartfunnysingle.com Two articles on pets and mental health: https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/February-2018/How-Dogs-Can-Help-with-Depression https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/pets-depression#1

We miss what we were before depression moved in; hopeful, vital, positive, connected. In a wide-ranging conversation, GVTD speaks with Savannah Wall about her experience of depression and the things she missed the most-- including herself. The full article that prompted the episode: https://savannahwall.wordpress.com/2018/12/22/when-youre-homesick-for-all-that-you-were-before-depression/

A young woman stops during a magical holiday moment to tweet her 14-year-old suicidal self that the fight IS worth it, that recovery is possible and that you will not always feel the way you do now. It's a New Year's message of hope and recovery that we are re-broadcasting in the hopes you'll listen, internalize and share Charlotte's message. May 2020 bring you peace and mental health.

If you are struggling this Christmas, with depression, loneliness, grief or anything else that really hurts, please know that many others feel the same way, and that you will not always feel the way you do today. If you live in the U.S., please call 800-273-8255 or text 741-741 and talk to a trained listener, if you do not have another option. If you live elsewhere, please Google "crisis line." Giving Voice to Depression has a Facebook page with thousands of people with depression who support each other. Please hold on and know that you DO matter. This holiday, and this terrible feeling will pass. You Matter!!

The Best Gifts Ever Rebroadcast by Giving Voice to Depression

Season 11 of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast was packed with peer support and powerful stories of people just like us who were in the very darkest of places, and found their ways out. You'll hear from a childhood-trauma survivor, a man who survived a jump from the Golden Gate Bridge, a social worker who is using his lived-experience to connect with others, and five others in this 19-minute summary of our nine most-recent episodes.

The time to plan for a crisis, is never during the crisis. Those of us with depression know the dark, ruminative thoughts can turn from oppressive to dangerous. We need to be ready. A crisis safety plan that lists needed information to keep you safe, written with a calm, clear mind, is a gift you can give yourself. https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/WRAP.pdf https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/ https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Ellen-Copeland/e/B000APF2WG/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1 Virtual Hope Box: http://t2health.dcoe.mil/apps/virtual-hope-box My3: http://www.my3app.org/

If your depression and dark thoughts cross over to suicidal intent, do you know what to do? Sara does a lot of work in suicide prevention. Her PhD dissertation research is on suicide, stress and depression. But when her own depression and anxiety peaked one morning bringing her to the very edge of suicidal intent, she had no idea what to do. Her story is a reminder that we need to plan before we are in crisis. https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/

A college student writes GVTD asking us to address how teens can tell their parents their lives have been changed by what they think or know is depression, when they expect to be ridiculed by their family instead of supported. A psychologist shares some do's and don'ts.

A young man who was literally hiding in his apartment closet because his depression, anxiety and alcoholism had made that seem logical, is now a social worker in the very same mental-health facility in which he was treated. When we say recovery is possible and things can change, it's because people like Jordan are living proof. Please take 18 minutes to honor his honesty and sharing.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please have them (you) take 15 minutes to listen to Ken's story. It is a rare opportunity to speak with someone who survives an attempt, especially one from the Golden Gate Bridge, who can tell you they had instant regret when they started to fall, that all the things that seemed unsolvable in life suddenly didn't anymore, and that in the water below they begged for rescue and life. It is powerful and it is real.

An intimate and candid conversation with a survivor of a suicide attempt from the Golden Gate Bridge about intervention, suicide prevention, hope, treatment and recovery. If you think the phrases "suicide is preventable" or "reach out to someone who is struggling" are just slogans in mental health campaigns, Ken will have you rethinking that.

Depression can make us want to give up. Trauma can add anger, shame, guilt and other strong emotions to the mix. Renee's inspiring story is about never giving up on yourself or your recovery. When meds didn't work for her, she tried something else. Then something else. And something else. Until she eventually found therapies that allow her to feel "like a new person." You deserve the help you need, even when it's hard to find.

There are times we are In It and the simplest of tasks feel impossible. For the times before and after that (yes, there IS an after!) here are some tips for staying focused and motivated when trying to get work done. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/motivation-work-tasks

We begin Season 11 of this podcast, with two practical episodes on how to motivate ourselves to do work when we're struggling mentally. We speak with NYC-based writer Sarah Fielding about an article she recently wrote on the topic for healthline.com. These tips might not apply to times we aren't cooking or showering, but they're good reminders for times we're functional, but not at 100%.

Ten podcast episodes condensed and highlighted in 16 minutes. If you've ever wondered what this podcast is like, how hearing shared stories can make us feel less alone, and what we can learn from each other, this is a great opportunity

After doing a story on Giving Voice to Depression, a popular TV news anchor said he couldn't stand on the sidelines and call the people who share their stories to connect with others in darkness brave, and not tell his own story. (Link to Ted's report on the GVTD podcast) https://fox6now.com/2018/02/22/former-tv-news-anchor-helps-those-suffering-depression-with-podcast-i-can-give-voice/

Ten episodes summarized in 17 minutes.

30+ years after a suicide attempt that left her in a coma, Jeannine looks back on that day, and on what she would have missed if she had died that hopeless day. For Suicide Prevention Month, please listen to and share this episode. When you're "in it," you do not think you will ever get out. We need to know, believe and spread the message that the bottom is not the end.

For World Suicide Prevention Day, we wanted to introduce you to a suicide-attempt survivor, We wanted you to hear her talk about the good and bad of the life she never would have experienced had she not "failed" at her attempt. (We talk about that word!) Please honor our guest's honesty by sharing this episode. http://jeanninerivers.com/

Depression can cause pain, and pain can cause depression.(*) Living with either can be really difficult. Living with both challenges the strongest. Our guest Stacy, has fibromyalgia and active major depressive disorder. Yet she laughs, offers hope to others and works daily to better manage the realities of a life she's still making peace with. (*)Mayo Clinic

When sick with the flu or a fever we know we can call in to school or work and be honest. And excused. But when it's A Mental Illness, that is not the case. The state of Oregon recently passed a law to level the playing field, so that K-12 students can call in sick when depressed, anxious or some other "invisible illness." We speak with one of the students who helped pass the law, and a social worker who had mental health days as a child.

We learn by asking questions. Even if years later than we wish we had. In this episode, Elliot reflects on a relationship with a woman with depression, and realizes his lack of understanding was part of the problem. A therapists answers each question he wishes he'd asked years ago.

As individuals, we don't have control over world events. But when tragic news fills 24-hour news cycles, we have a responsibility to ourselves to tune in and make choices that limit the impact on our mental health. Our guest, Dr. Robert Duff (Duff the Psych,) talks about the line between being informed and being negatively impacted. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/violent-media-anxiety_n_6671732 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4803729/ https://www.duffthepsych.com/

Grief and depression can look and feel similar. Yet they are distinctly-different experiences. Grief, although excruciating. can ultimately be healing. Depression, without diagnosis and treatment, can be life threatening. Jennifer Bartolotta is intimately familiar with both. She has experienced depression's weight. And she is currently grieving the recent death of her husband, Joe. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-new-grief/201203/when-does-grief-become-depression

Living with depression requires resilience, strength and sometimes-heroic efforts to find and fan hope's embers. Jennifer, currently on medical leave for her illness, struggles to find lasting relief in meds. In this 18-minute episode, she discusses self-harm, distraction techniques and how her lived-experience helps teens at the high school where she works.

Decades passed between the time a little boy screamed in pain into his pillow, and his adult self recognized that suffering as depression. This conversation is his first public exchange about the illness, and the shame and stigma that kept him from revealing this part of himself. (Remember that depression IS only one part of us. It can seem to negate all the others at times, but it is just one component of our whole selves!) Please honor Jon's journey by listening to and sharing his story. #YouAreNotAlone #StrongerTogether #NoShame Jon's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxlVwfFkjH7dE-uz3_Q5WmQ/featured and website: https://cleaningwarrior.com/

Depression is, to put it mildly, an unwanted guest in our minds and bodies. Yet, for those who experience it regularly, it can help to look for some value, some take-away, some "terrible gift" in the experience. Kristin "owns her shadow," and uses depression's voice to express herself in poetry. Hers is a gentle, allowing and unique perspective on an illness many of us simply despise. To learn more about Kristin and her poetry: KristinRoedell.wikidot.com

Mental health conditions do not discriminate. However, background and identity can make access to mental health treatment much more difficult. For National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we talk with Phillip Roundtree, A mental-health professional discusses how cultural beliefs and stigma prevented him from getting help for his depression for years. He now takes his empowering message to schools and conferences because, like all mental health, Black mental health matters. http://quadefyllc.net/

People with heart problems do not wait for a heart attack to address them. People with diabetes do not rely solely on an epipen to control their illness. And people with mental health challenges cannot wait until suicidal thoughts necessitate emergency actions. Self-care and depression-management involve tuning in with your changing thoughts/moods, establishing and using a safety plan and personalized tools that work for you. No illness is easier to treat when it's an emergency. https://qz.com/1381952/suicide-hotlines-really-do-save-lives-i-know-because-one-saved-mine/

This short, refreshingly-candid episode kicks stigma in the teeth, addresses the way depression takes normal life events and twists them into cause for despair, and how owning our full range of emotions frees us to better deal with the illness.

Short but important: In less than 16 minutes, you can sample interviews with a trauma surgeon, school psychologist, NFL Hall of Famer, a suicide-prevention expert and the Crisis Text Line. It's the perfect way to sample the Giving Voice to Depression podcast, and to then go back and listen to full episodes that interest you. Please listen and share.

Many people, for many reasons, prefer to text vs. call. The Crisis Text Line provides 24/7 support, referrals and connection to people in crisis. You do NOT have to be suicidal to call, though the trained staff can certainly handle those calls as well. Life can be very hard. It can help a lot (even be life-saving) to communicate with someone who is caring, non-judgmental and always available. You are not alone! https://www.crisistextline.org/ https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/national-suicide-prevention-lifeline-dr-john-draper

A Philadelphia trauma surgeon whose depression required hospitalization learns what it's like to be a patient. He shares his story in the hopes that others will learn from his frightening experience and believe him when he says recovery is possible, no matter how deeply depressed you are. Article link: https://medschool.ucsd.edu/som/hear/resources/Documents/Out_of_the_Straitjacket_NEJM_Perspective.pdf YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qBobGOF0fs&t=5s

"Physician heal thyself." But what happens when depression convinces you you're not worthy of healing? Physicians face unique circumstances during their education, training and careers known to lead to depression; sleep deprivation, the stresses of life-and-death decisions, routinely facing human suffering and more. In this episode, Dr. Michael Weinstein, a trauma surgeon, candidly discusses his depression, the "revolution" needed in medical training, and the long road of recovery. In part two, we'll hear more of his personal story.

In his 16 seasons in the NFL (13 with the Philadelphia Eagles and three with the Denver Broncos) Brian Dawkins earned the nickname "Weapon X" and a reputation as one of the league's hardest hitters. Yet when depression was his opponent, Dawkins nearly lost the fight. He retired recently to become a mental-health advocate and philanthropist. He joined GVTD co-host Terry for a candid discussion about how continues to tackle depression. https://www.briandawkins.com/ betterman.gotothehub.com

Research makes clear that young people often tell each other vs. an adult when they are struggling or even suicidal. In this episode we talk with a suicide-prevention specialist and Dr. Jennifer Krzewina, a school district mental-health coordinator who understand that kids need to be given the language and the permission to discuss mental health to keep themselves and their friends healthy and safe. Menasha Joint School District website: www.mjsd.k12.wi.us/

Teens need to know they are safe, even welcome, to share their innermost thoughts about suicide and suicidal thoughts. Yet, often unintentionally, parents and other adults shut down that communication. In Part Two of our 3-part conversation with suicide- prevention expert Dr. Stacey Freedenthal, we look at five more reasons teen avoid talking to parents about this potentially-fatal topic. Please share. #StrongerTogether Link to full list: http://www.speakingofsuicide.com/2013/05/29/parents-and-teens/

Teens are more likely to share suicidal thoughts with another teen than with a parent. Why? What are parents doing that shuts down that potentially-lifesaving communication? In part one of a series of conversations with Dr. Stacey Freedenthal, author of Helping the Suidical Person, we look at the first 5 of 10 reasons teens give for shutting-out their parents. https://www.speakingofsuicide.com/2013/05/29/parents-and-teens/ https://www.speakingofsuicide.com/about-stacey-freedenthal/stacey-freedenthal-phd-lcsw/

Ten podcast episodes condensed and highlighted in 16 minutes. If you've ever wondered what this podcast is like, how hearing shared stories can make us feel less alone, and what we can learn from each other, this is a great opportunity.

Nearly half of the people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with anxiety disorder. This week's guest Jordan, talks about his anxiety and his struggle to be properly diagnosed. He also shares about his post-surgical depression, which is more common than many realize. It's an episode filled with great perspective, advice, and even some laughs.

Today we launch a new *bonus* feature, looking into some self-care techniques that might be good additions to your self-care tool kits. Guest Brad Yates describes Tapping, or EFT as "a remarkable healing modality based on the same principles that have been used for thousands of years in acupuncture—but without the needles." Again, we're not health-care professionals. We're sharing some things podcast listener's have told us, or that we've encountered on our own, as possible aids for our depression-management tool kits. https://tapwithbrad.mykajabi.com/ https://www.youtube.com/user/eftwizard

Tara, who says she's never hidden her depression, but has never been able to clearly explain the "otherness" of living with the illness, sits down with Giving Voice to Depression to share about shower-crying, infomercials and the need for connection and non-judgement while "in it." Please listen and share.

In last week's episode, "When Art Imitates Depressed Life," artist Jeff Beier talked about a series of paintings he created to make an invisible illness visible in a graphic and powerful way. (https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/91-when-art-imitates-depressed-life) In his second episode he shares the story behind the paintings, and some of the less-healthy/creative ways he dealt with his mental-health challenges in the past, and the better methods he now knows and uses. http://jeffbeier.com

When an artist's paintings changed from flowers, trees and butterflies to powerful visceral displays of depression's darkness and pain... Jeff Beier made the decision that series, named "Incidamus," the Latin word for depression, had to be shown and felt and discussed. The public display of his private pain is creating "visceral honesty between strangers." If you've ever wondered if being honest about your depression could help you and/or another person, Jeff will remove any doubt. See the paintings under "Galleries" and then "Incidamus" : http://jeffbeier.com/live/

A triple-board-certified medical doctor discusses the "catastrophic increase" in depression and other mood disorders, and connects that to leaky gut syndrome. Dr. Zach Bush talks with podcast co-host Bridget about how understanding the role of environmental factors in our depression empowers us to change our environment to change our depression. https://zachbushmd.com/ https://www.produceretailer.com/article/news-article/2018-dirty-dozen-and-clean-15-lists-released https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-gut-brain-connection

A son learns of his father's depression and suicidal thoughts only after he is hospitalized for them. Since then, the two have realized the dangers of hiding an illness, and the many benefits of sharing our experiences. This is a beautiful story of two men who prove that stigma can be dangerous, and truth can heal for generations to come. https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/the-best-gifts-ever

Living with depression or other mental-health challenges can be really difficult. There is so much we can't control. But there are also things we can; helpful, positive actions we can take that promote recovery, AND thoughts and behaviors that make things worse (or impede recovery progress.) Guest Katherine Ponte realized six things she'd done that "got in her own way." She chose to share vs. hide them, so others could learn from her mistakes. https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/January-2019/Coping-with-Mental-Illness-What-Not-to-Do https://www.forlikeminds.com/

The mother of a teenager who recently died by suicide reaches out to other struggling teens to say emotions are hard and it's okay to need help managing them. The more honest you are about what you're going through, the more effective your treatment, therapy or other help can be. And if it's a friend who is struggling, tell someone. Depression lies. But it's our responsibility to tell the truth about what's going on. It could literally save a life.

The world loves guarantees. We want to be assured that if A, then B. It comforts us and soothes our souls to believe in truths we can rely upon. But suicide prevention doesn't work like that. Knowing the signs and risk factors is a huge step. Being with someone and listening non-judgmentally can work wonders. But medications, therapy, doctors, hospitalizations and a loving family, cannot always protect against depression's despair. It's a Tragic Truth that just weeks after the death of her 18-year-old son to suicide, Patty is willing to discuss, to try to spare another family the pain hers is experiencing.

A clinical psychologist outlines the signs of depression, what we should do if we recognize them, AND how we can help and support other people who are struggling, including advice and the language to use to do so.

Lonely. Isolated. Feeling like a burden. Those are familiar symptoms of depression. Add in being elderly, watching your body fail, living in elder care and believing mental health is not a topic of polite conversation, and you have a recipe for dark days. Please listen to 93-year-old Mary's story, and her plea that we check in (briefly but regularly) with the elders in our life so they know they still matter.

Ignoring the signs of depression in a child has life-long effects. A 70-year-old woman who tried as a child to get attention and support for her pain issues a plea to all adults to tune in and step in if a child in your life is struggling with mental health challenges.

Depression is too dark a path to walk alone. Each week, caring men and women who have been there share their personal stories, coping/management strategies and most importantly, messages of hope and recovery on this podcast. If you're not sure you're interested in "a podcast on depression" sample nine episodes in 21 minutes and find out. (There are six other season summaries too.) Each episode explores a different perspective of and experience with depression. Thank you so much for honoring our guests by listening.

As parents, we have a responsibility to prepare our children for life. And there's a strong possibility that future will include mental-health struggles. Speaking openly about mental illness reduces fear, misinformation and stigma. In today's episode, TJ talks about a recent conversation he had with his 9-year-old son. Now is the perfect time to start. https://www.webmd.com/depression/mental-health-depression-children#1

A 23-year-old woman stops during a magical moment to tweet to her 14-year-old suicidal self that the fight IS worth it, that things can and will change, that you will not always feel the way you do right now, that hope wins and you are NOT alone. It's a New Year's message of hope and recovery that we hope you'll listen to, internalize and share. May 2019 bring you peace and mental health.

This is a special Christmas edition of our podcast, written and produced especially for YOU, who are struggling right now. It's only 6-minutes long, and we believe it will resonate with and comfort you like it does us. You are not alone. You do matter. People DO care. It WILL pass. Come hang out on our Facebook page today if you need support. John's article, if you'd like to read vs. hear it is linked here: https://johnpavlovitz.com/2017/12/24/to-those-who-struggle-this-christmas/

A man who has never before spoken publicly about his struggle with depression, reached out to tell his story and to thank all those who have shared before him, opening the door for him to creep through. Dan says he now realizes that speaking about his depression instead of treating it like a shameful secret, takes some of the power away from the illness.

Being "Merry," "Happy" or "Joyous" can be a tall order for anyone, regardless of the date on the calendar. If you are depressed, alone, grieving or any number of other things, it can be nearly impossible. Today's guest, a self-care consultant, talks about boundaries, realistic expectations and meaningful traditions vs. those aggressively marketed to us. He also shares one of the sweetest favorite-Christmas stories ever! Create a holiday that works for you and does not threaten your mental health. Previous Episode :https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/survivor-steve Steve's website: https://iamsteveaustin.com/

The tables turn on the Giving Voice to Depression podcast hosts. UK podcaster Dan Udale asks about how and why we started, what our experiences of depression are, what the bully tells us and more. And during it all, we laugh. Because even people with depression have humor. Though it's damn near impossible to access when we're "in it." Full interview available here: https://anchor.fm/knowyourself/episodes/Know-Yourself---Episode-68---An-interview-with-Terry-from-Giving-Voice-to-Depression-podcast-e2gt5n

Silence feeds and breeds stigma. When we discuss, teach and learn about mental health, we see it as just another treatable illness. With the British Royal Family joining the effort, that is more possible now than ever. Today's guest, Bobby Temps, has a mental health podcast in the UK. He is also petitioning for mandatory mental-health education in schools there. Please join us as we discuss the life-saving value of discussion. http://mentalpodcast.co.uk

Even if you've been diagnosed with and treated for depression, you may still find yourself exhausted and lacking vitality. A GVTD podcast listener and Facebook community member reached out to tell us he learned his symptoms were caused by an inability to process a B-vitamin, and simply taking a supplement has really helped with his energy. This isn't a commercial or an endorsement. It's a first-person account of a treatment that you might want to look into. https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/genetic-testing-for-personalized-depression-meds Description of the MTHFR gene: https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/MTHFR# This is more of an informal explanation: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-integrationist/201409/genetic-mutation-can-affect-mental-physical-health

Using his life experiences, learned lessons, near suicide, and even a goose, today's guest offers a formula for connection, which leads to hope, and can save lives. There are so many ways we can connect with others. And it can make SUCH a difference. Please listen and share. https://www.davidwoodsbartley.com/

Holidays are suppose to be happy times. But the pressure, expectations and family interactions can make this a a very difficult time for those with mental-health challenges. This revised episode offers some advice on not getting caught up in Holiday Expectations, and "the best and kindest thing" you can do this time of year for someone in your life who is struggling.

It can be so, so hard when you are in depression's darkness to believe anyone who says "it passes," "it will get better," or even "you are loved and needed." Mark Henick, a suicide-attempt survivor has the lived experience, perspective and empathy to reach out with his message of hope and recovery. He has been there. He knows. Please listen and share and hang on. Mark's TED Talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1QoyTmeAYw We'll be back with new episodes mid-November.

Depression is too dark a path to walk alone. Each week, caring men and women who have been there share their experiences, coping/management strategies and most importantly, messages of hope and recovery on this podcast. If you're not sure you're interested in "a podcast on depression" or if there's anything you'd relate to, sample nine episodes and find out. (There are five other season summaries too. Each episode explores a different perspective of and experience with depression.) Thank you so much for honoring our guests by listening. (Seasons 5 and 6 were sponsored by the Charles E Kubly Foundation- dedicated to improving the lives of those with depression. Thank you!) https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/08/24/11-important-ways-my-loved-ones-supported-me-during-a-mental-health-crisis/ 800-273-8255 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 741-741 Text Line

Brené Brown writes: “Shame derives its power from being unspeakable.” In this episode, Alex Brown takes the power away from depression by naming it as a common illness. She takes away its shame by owning it. And she takes the idea that keeping our mental-health struggles to ourselves is our best choice, and exposes it for the falsehood it is.

People with heart problems do not wait for a heart attack to address them. People with diabetes do not rely solely on an epipen to control their illness. And people with mental health challenges cannot wait until suicidal thoughts necessitate emergency actions. Self-care and depression-management involve tuning in with your changing thoughts/moods, establishing and using a safety plan and personalized tools that work for you. No illness is easier to treat when it's an emergency. https://qz.com/1381952/suicide-hotlines-really-do-save-lives-i-know-because-one-saved-mine/

Suicide prevention hotlines are available 24/7, ensuring there is always somewhere and someone you can turn to when in crisis. That does not mean there is no one in your life who would help, though it may mean depression has convinced you that's the case. Corinne Purtill credits the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK) with saving her life, and she's speaking up so that we'll know the bottom does not need to mean the end. https://qz.com/1381952/suicide-hotlines-really-do-save-lives-i-know-because-one-saved-mine/

Don't ever hesitate to offer empathy and support to someone who is struggling because you fear you are not "qualified" to help. Sometimes our lived-experience is the best qualification there is. An open heart and a willingness to listen without judgment are the two best gifts we can offer. Please listen to and share these stories about how a Facebook community helped two women in distress.

Many who struggle with mental-health challenges wonder why people don't step up and support us. It may be partly because we don't share what we're going through (for many reasons.) It is also partly because we have not been taught HOW to be there for someone. What should we say? When should we say it? What's helpful? What's not? Our guest, Sam Dylan Finch, shares 11 ways his loved ones have supported him in mental health crises. They are proven, doable things that could really lighten someone's load, or even save a life. We detailed five ways in part one. This episodes explores the final six ways to suit up and show up for someone who is struggling. Please listen and share. The more we know the better we can support our loved ones. And the more they know, the better they can care for us. Complete list: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/08/24/11-important-ways-my-loved-ones-supported-me-during-a-mental-health-crisis/ Link to Sam's How to Reach Out for Support episodes: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/how-to-reach-out-part-one-sam-dylan-finch and https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/how-to-reach-out-part-two-sam-dylan-finch

We hear (and say) "reach out for help if you need it." But for many reasons, including stigma, awkwardness, and lack of training, many people -- even those in danger-- do not. So it's our responsibility to learn how to offer help to the people in our lives who may need it. Our guest, Sam Dylan Finch, shares 11 ways his loved ones have supported him in mental health crises. They are proven, doable things that could really lighten someone's load, or even save a life. We detail five ways in part one, and the final six next week in part two. Please listen and share. The more we know the better we can support our loved ones. And the more they know, the better they can care for us. See Sam's full list at: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/08/24/11-important-ways-my-loved-ones-supported-me-during-a-mental-health-crisis/

This episode features the utterly-amazing story of a mother's battle with guilt and depression after "causing" a car accident that left her daughter paralyzed. The crash was tragic, but their journey through it reminds us that while there is so much sadness and pain in the world, there is also so much hope. Stick with it till the end. link to Cindy's blog: http://www.strugglingwithserendipity.com/

After losing his father to suicide as a child, an adult Sebastian Slovin embarks on a journey of recovery and discovery. What starts out as an investigation to understand his father's death, ends up providing a deeper understanding of how to live a truer life. Learn more about Sebastian and his father in the book Ashes in the Ocean, available on Amazon.com

More law-enforcement officers die by suicide than are killed in the line of duty. Former Sheriff's Deputy Monica Quesnell shares her story of how witnessing a suicide convinced her she needed to quit her job as a first responder so she could focus on the things that make her happy. http://bespokehappiness.com/

In a rebroadcast of our Season Three in Review, we thank everyone who has come forward to share their experience with depression, as well as the Charles E. Kubly Foundation for its sponsorship and our first grant! In this review, we summarize and feature highlights from each of the episodes. If one catches your eye (or ear,) please listen to it in its entirety.

Heading off to college, especially as a freshman, is exciting! It can also be a very stressful and potentially-dangerous time. We strongly recommend familiarizing yourself with the signs of depression, and making your student aware of them too, so that if they present you recognize them and take steps to get support before a crisis. In today's episode, a re-broadcast, a college student shares the story of his struggle with depression and how, with the help of his parents and a network of friends he once denied having, he has learned to manage his illness and live a life he once thought impossible. www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifesty…on/art-20048327

Podcast co-hosts Bridget and Terry look back at the intimate, informative stories of both struggle and resilience that guests shared in Season Five. They highlight some of the lessons that impacted and stuck with them. If any of the episodes resonate with you, please listen to them in their entirety on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, etc. And please share this episode. It's a "shallow-end" way for someone to sample the podcast.

Stigma, shame and the fact depression is still (too) often seen as a weakness or failing, cause many people with the common illness to hide their struggles and pain behind a mask. While this can be a healthy coping mechanism, it can also be dangerous as it prevents us not only from living as authentic human beings, but also from getting the help and support we need to live healthy, connected lives.

How do you forgive yourself for a suicide attempt? Is it the first step to recovery? Is it a necessary step? Is it even possible? This episode's guest, John, shares that self-forgiveness is the major, stubborn stumbling block on his road to recovery. Yet, in spite of that, he has made huge strides toward living a healthy life and he challenges others to acknowledge and celebrate their progress, even in the face of roadblocks. Article referenced: https://drmargaretrutherford.com/how-to-forgive-yourself-five-not-so-simple-but-important-steps/

Men, programmed from childhood to be "tough," and not to feel, name or express emotions, never to cry and to "man up," are all-too-often reluctant to seek needed help and support for their depression. Roro Asmar, a "manly man" by any measure, says it's long past time to redefine what it means to be masculine and strong. The 6'4" body builder, football player and business owner says "coming out about his depression was one of the most freeing and courageous things" he has ever done. Men are dying because of shame and ignorance. Depression is an illness, not a weakness. Please listen and share to spread that message.

Finding the right medication to treat depression can be frustrating at best, and dangerous at worst. The trial-and-error method now used, complete with 6-12 week waiting periods to see if an Rx works, then weaning off to try another is unacceptable when relief is needed asap. Genetic testing, done with a cheek swab, can now narrow the search and provide info about which meds will work best for YOUR particular biology, and as (or more) importantly, which meds may cause problems. Megan Amaya shares her struggle to find the right medication, and how genetic testing gave her the scientific proof she needed to do so. Link for more info: https://genomind.com/the-genecept-assay/genetic-testing-better-depression-treatment/

It can be so, so hard when you are in depression's darkness to believe anyone who says "it passes," "it will get better," or even "you are loved and needed." Mark Henick, a suicide-attempt survivor has the lived experience, perspective and empathy to reach out with his message of hope and recovery. He has been there. He knows. Please listen and share and hold on. Mark's TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1QoyTmeAYw

A suicide-attempt survivor and mental-health advocate sets the record straight about several common misconceptions including the idea people attempt "for attention" and that suicide occurs "out of the blue, with no warning."

Recent back-to-back celebrity suicides have put the topic in the headlines. But for many, the thought is there regularly. Help is, too! The vast majority of people who consider suicide get through the crisis period alive. Dr. John Draper, director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline talks about how the service helps people, and the importance of knowing and believing that help and hope exist. 800-273-TALK (8255) https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ https://www.bethe1to.com

Depression is too dark and heavy to face alone. So we're told to "reach out for help." But HOW? What words do we use, especially when we might not have the energy or the insight to articulate our struggle? And how the hell are we suppose to come up with effective language that honors we deserve help when depression convinces us no one cares, or that we're a burden. This 2-part podcast will tell you how! Our guest, Sam Dylan Finch, took the time to make a list of 10 Ways to Reach Out. In part two, we will explore the last five of them. Please listen AND share. It's potentially life-saving and certainly life-supporting information. Here is a link to Sam's article which you can print out as a reminder/resource: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-ways-to-reach-out-when-youre-struggling-with-your-mental-health/

Depression is too dark and heavy to face alone. So we're told to "reach out for help." But HOW? What words do we use, especially when we might not have the energy or the insight to articulate our struggle? And how the hell are we supposed to come up with effective language that honors we deserve help when depression convinces us no one cares, or that we're a burden. This 2-part podcast will tell you how! Our guest, Sam Dylan Finch, took the time to make a list of 10 Ways to Reach Out. In part one, we will explore five of them. Please listen AND share. It's potentially life-saving and certainly life-supporting information.

(We're putting the finishing touches on 10 fresh episodes for a new season starting 5.29.18) Today's episode is a re-broadcast of a review of the second season of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast. Our audio quality has improved greatly since then, but the messages of these early interviews are still inspiring and important. We hope you'll take 15 minutes to listen.

(We are taking a 2-week break to produce episodes for our fifth season.) Today's episode is a re-broadcast of a review of the very first season of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast. Our audio quality has improved greatly since then, but the messages of these early interviews are still inspiring and important. We hope you'll take 9 minutes to listen. We'll be back with a new season 5.29.18 Thank you.

Podcast co-hosts Bridget and Terry look back at the intimate, hopeful, informative stories and information shared in Season Four, and highlight some of the lessons that impacted and stuck with them. If any of the episodes resonate with you, please listen to them in their entirety on iTunes, SoundCloud, etc or at GivingVoiceToDepression.com

Travis not only had suicidal thoughts, he had a plan. In one last desperate attempt, he phoned a stranger for help. As a result, his plan changed to one of treatment and recovery. Travis shares his story of strength, hope and redemption. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 (TALK) https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/suicide-prevention-part-one https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/suicide-prevention-part-two

After profiling Giving Voice to Depression for a television news feature, a news anchor/reporter felt compelled to "come off the sidelines" and share his own experience of depression publicly for the first time.

One of the dangers of not talking about mental health challenges, is that people may not identify their struggles as an illness and so not reach out for help and support. Matt, who did not realize he was depressed and has never spoken about it, shares his story and how creating music helped him clear depression's fog. www.mattsteady.com

Rebecca Lombardo fights a battle inside her mind every single day. But she doesn't fight it alone. Listen as a Detroit-area couple shares the lessons learned in their 17-year marriage; lessons about communication, boundaries, love, and bi-polar disorder. https://www.rebeccalombardo.com/

While we would all prefer to learn life lessons from much gentler teachers, depression can reveal things that are good to know. Tom Wavre, an advocate for mental health in the workplace and the founder and driving force behind www.iam1in4.com a site and social media campaign that is followed by over 70,000 globally, shares a list of things for which he is grateful to his depression.

A psychiatrist who has treated more than 3,000 people with depression, says it's time to re-frame how we characterize, treat and view people with depression. The current way is not only stigmatizing and potentially dangerous, but flat-out wrong in his experience. Link to Dr. Cantopher's book if you're interested in learning more: https://www.amazon.com/Depressive-Illness-Strong-Overcoming-Problems/dp/1847092357

We think of depression as an illness that commonly "strikes" in teen years. But for many young children, it starts much earlier. Nicholas began having suicidal thoughts at eight. At 13, he is sharing his story for the first time in hopes of helping other kids who might be suffering like he did.

A pioneer in integrative medicine and psychiatry says we need to look beyond meds to all available tools when treating depression; and that certain tests (blood, urine, hair, etc.) can uncover underlying causes.

A clinical psychologist outlines the signs of depression, what we should do if we recognize them, AND how we can help and support other people who are struggling, including advice and the language to use to do so.

A psychologist and author, whose specialty is taking complex psychological issues and breaking them down into plain language, offers some techniques to help manage depression.

In part two of our Suicide Prevention series, Dr. Barbara Moser gives us the language and some practical tips for how to have the difficult but necessary conversations with someone you care about who might be suicidal. It's 16-minutes that could save a life. https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/how-we-can-all-prevent-suicide/

We often hear that suicide is preventable. But what does that really mean? What do we need to know and understand to be able to help someone through a suicidal crisis? Dr. Barbara Moser, who works in suicide prevention, gives us the straight answers and the language to use. It's 14 minutes that could save a life.

As we wrap up our third season, we thank everyone who has come forward to share their experience with depression, as well as the Charles E. Kubly Foundation for its sponsorship and our first grant! In this review, we summarize and feature highlights from each of the episodes. If one catches your eye (or ear,) please listen to it in its entirety.

Depression affects more than the people who live with it. In this episode, a young couple talks about their experience with the illness; one as a person who lives with it, and the other as her supportive partner. We also discuss how stigma and the pressures to appear "unaffected" can make matters worse.

Hearing the first-person accounts in the Giving Voice to Depression podcast lead to group discussions, and positively influenced the cast of a NY play that focuses on the life of a child with a depressed and suicidal mother. link: https://www.thetribenyc.com/every-brilliant-thing

An adult-- who was that undiagnosed depressed child-- looks back on a lifetime of depression and urges parents, teachers and society as a whole, to tune-in and step-in if a child in your life exhibits signs of depression. (link to symptoms below) LINKS: https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-children#1 and the documentary Not Alone on Netflix

A stand-up comedian and former writer for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno discusses depression with perspective, candor and humor. What's funny about depression? Not a damn thing. But people WITH depression can be funny, because it's only one facet of Our Selves.

A crisis-line supervisor discusses about the power of listening, helping people find their own path to wellness, and offering hope

A look at Scrooge through a therapist's compassionate lens, some advice on not getting caught up in Holiday Expectations, and "the best and kindest thing" you can do this time of year for someone in your life who is struggling.

A mental-health professional discusses how cultural beliefs and stigma prevented him from getting help for his depression for years. He now takes his empowering message to schools and conferences because, like all mental health, Black mental health matters. http://quadefyllc.net/ and https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Brent Williams shares his journey through depression and anxiety. Offering practical suggestions and insights on ways to manage oneself while walking through the darkness of mental illness.

A college student shares the story of his struggle with depression and how, with the help of his parents and a network of friends he once denied having, he has learned to manage his illness and live a life he once thought impossible. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/college-depression/art-20048327 https://www.amazon.com/Hell-Has-No-Stars-Depression/dp/150272748X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511816933&sr=1-1&keywords=justin+mercer

You don't have to experience depression yourself to be able to offer support to those who do. But it sure doesn't hurt. Kevin is a suicide-loss survivor, a person living with depression, and someone who has sat in the darkness with many who had lost hope, listening with patience and compassion.

Six years after their chance, life-saving meeting on a bridge, Jonny and Neil reunite. They are now partners in mental-health advocacy, sharing their message of hope and recovery.

The Bridge: A powerful story of a man who had given up hope, and a stranger who took the time to give him some.

Podcast co-hosts Bridget and Terry look back at lessons they learned from the episodes in season two.

Liz describes the different types of depressions she has had, and talks about how caring friends can help each other identify and manage depression.

It helps to be able to talk about your experience with depression, and the ways someone can support you when you're really "in it." But timing is everything. Ben shares his story, and some really helpful advice about making a game plan for dark times.

You do not have to have depression yourself to be deeply affected by it. Adele, the wife and mother of depression sufferers knows that first hand.

Sarah exposes the cunning way depression talks to us and the dark conclusions it causes us to make. She also warns us to be aware that certain birth-control methods can play into the depression equation.

We continue our look at teen depression via the outstanding documentary Not Alone -- using excerpts from the film and interviews with its directors. This episode focuses on social media's affect on mental health. Link to documentary info: http://not-alone.live/see-the-film/ https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/

A teenager, who lost a friend to suicide, interviews other teens in the documentary Not Alone to try to understand their struggles with depression and thoughts of suicide. Giving Voice to Depression was given access to the film and its directors, to help bring their powerful message to the public. http://not-alone.live/see-the-film/

In part two of our Suicide Prevention series, Dr. Barbara Moser gives us the language and some practical tips for how to have the difficult but necessary conversations with someone you care about who might be suicidal. It's 16-minutes that could save a life. https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/how-we-can-all-prevent-suicide/

We often hear that suicide is preventable. But what does that really mean? What do we need to know and understand to be able to help someone through a suicidal crisis? Dr. Barbara Moser, who works in suicide prevention, gives us the straight answers and the language to use. It's 14 minutes that could save a life. https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/how-we-can-all-prevent-suicide/

A leading depression researcher, studying a finger-prick blood test that could determine which depression medication(s) would work best for your specific biology, shares his findings with Giving Voice to Depression.

A 93-year-old woman, who is not sure if she is clinically depressed or if she just finds the end of life depressing, shares her story and a message for the children and grandchildren of seniors.

A mental health advocate shares her story that includes four involuntary hospitalizations, a period of anonymous blogging, and the life-changing decision to stop hiding her struggles. Her bravery has inspired others to share their experience with mental illness on stage with This is My Brave. https://thisismybrave.org

A psychologist and author, whose specialty is taking complex psychological issues and breaking them down into plain language, offers some techniques to help manage depression. http://www.duffthepsych.com

It helps to be able to talk about your experience with depression, and the ways someone can support you when you're really "in it." But timing is everything. Ben shares his story, and some really helpful advice about making a game plan for dark times.

Podcast co-host Terry gives voice to her struggles, reminds us why we should not believe the lies depression spews, and offers a message of hope and recovery.

A clinical psychologist reminds us that not everyone who is depressed looks or acts depressed; and the fact that hidden pain and shame still affect us. http://drmargaretrutherford.com/

A leading mental illness stigma researcher reveals what does -- and what does not work in fighting stigma.

Liz describes the different types of depressions she has had, and talks about how caring friends can help each other identify and manage depression.

A clinical social worker, impacted by our last podcast (Ask a Different Question) and the article we discussed in it, says he's approaching his work differently and that clients are benefiting.

When discussing depression or assessing a possible risk of suicide, some questions check a box, while others start a discussion. https://themighty.com/2017/06/the-important-question-to-ask-if-you-feel-suicidal/

As we wrap up our first season, we thank everyone who has come forward to share their experience with depression. In this review, we summarize and feature highlights from each of the episodes. If one catches your eye (or ear,) please listen to it in its entirety.

A new mother speaks candidly about depression, pregnancy, and the lessons she's learned from both. Her message is for everyone trying to understand and manage depression.

A new mother gets real about insecurity, anxiety and depression, and challenges other new parents to do the same.

Sarah exposes the cunning way depression talks to us and the dark conclusions it causes us to make. She also warns us to be aware that certain birth-control methods can play into the depression equation.

Three experts answer the #1 question people without depression ask: What's the difference between depressed and sad?

A man on a mission to break the stigma of depression and anxiety in the workplace.

Mettie shares her story of loss to suicide, and the ways in which that grief is different from others.

A father shares feelings and lessons about his teenage daughter’s suicide.

A pastor shares the lessons he has learned as a suicide-attempt survivor.

“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” ~ Dalai Lama Giving Voice to Depression will release Ripple Reports when we learn of ways listeners have taken the information and understanding gained from hearing the stories shared, and act on them to reduce stigma and make a difference. In this premiere edition, we profile a first-grade teacher who is launching a mental-health initiative that could have long-ranging consequences.

In the final episode in our stigma series, we explore the benefits of reducing the stigma around depression. This is not our dream. It is our mission. As we share our stories, we cast a lifeboat to those still suffering alone. And as you hear them, we hope gain both understanding and empathy.

In the second of our 3-part series, we hear from people who confirm they feel the need to hide their depression, many waiting dangerously long to get needed help.

In the first of a 3-part series, we hear from people with depression who confirm that Stigma is not only a reality, but one of the greatest barriers to effective treatment and recovery.

Jose reminds us that it's important to know your family's medical history-- including mental health issues.

You do not have to have depression yourself to be deeply affected by it. Adele, the wife and mother of depression sufferers knows that first hand.

Bridget, the co-host of Giving Voice to Depression, shares her recent experience starting a new antidepressant, and reminds us the warnings about possible suicidal thoughts are there for a reason.