Depression in Black and Brown Communities: Breaking Stigma and Seeking Help

In too many Black and Brown communities, depression and other mental health struggles are hidden behind stigma, silence, and cultural expectations of strength. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, advocate Didi Hairston, known online as Diva with Depression, shares her deeply personal journey of living with chronic, treatment-resistant depression while raising children, working, and building a platform for advocacy.

Didi speaks openly about what it means to function in “the dark place” every day, the role of trauma and postpartum struggles in her mental health story, and the devastating loneliness that often comes with untreated depression. She also highlights how cultural stigma makes it harder for Black and Brown individuals to seek therapy or medication, and why honest conversations and supportive networks are essential for healing.

Her unfiltered account offers validation for those suffering in silence and a call to action for communities to break chains of stigma and embrace empathy and mental health care.

Didi's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_bkjYo7HjBTgcYS9NuW9QFB 

Didi's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divawdepression/

Didi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/divawdepIG: 

Didi's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divawdep/

Primary Topics Covered:

• The reality of living with chronic, treatment-resistant depression
• Cultural stigma around mental health in Black and Brown communities
• Functioning daily in “the dark place” while raising children and working
• The impact of childhood trauma and postpartum depression
• Naming depression “the monster” and why it helps describe the experience
• Coping strategies: therapy, medication, advocacy, and peer support
• Loneliness, loss, and why connection is critical to survival
• A call to communities: breaking stigma and encouraging healing

Timestamps:
 00:00 – Introduction to the episode and themes
 01:11 – Depression as part of identity and owning the diagnosis
 01:29 – Guest introduction: Didi Hairston, “Diva with Depression”
 02:11 – Functioning daily in a dark place
 02:47 – The roots of depression in childhood trauma
 03:48 – Postpartum depression and worsening symptoms
 05:03 – Surviving while parenting with depression
 06:18 – Naming depression “the monster”
 08:40 – Coping with therapy, medication, and advocacy work
 09:55 – Cultural stigma in Black and Brown communities
 11:29 – Loneliness, loss, and the “empty nest” crash
 13:54 – The pain of isolation and longing for connection
 16:12 – Supportive texts and small acts of care
 16:48 – The responsibility of loved ones to notice and respond
 17:40 – Living in “hell” but still functioning
 19:18 – Acceptance and resilience in chronic depression
 21:40 – Final reflections and call to break stigma

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