Living with Depression in College: Emily’s Journey Through Darkness and Healing

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Emily Director shares her journey of living with depression in college and beyond. From struggling with loneliness at Brown University to creating peer-support programs at Penn, Emily’s story captures both the weight of depression and the hope found in resilience and connection. She discusses her hospitalization, the ongoing challenges of severe depression, and how reframing emotions helped her reclaim moments of joy. Emily’s voice reminds us that while recovery is not linear, community, support, and self-compassion can carry us through.

Link to Cereal for Dinner's website: www.cerealfordinner.org/

Primary Topics Covered:

• Emily’s early experiences with depression at Brown University
• How environment and loneliness contribute to mental health struggles
• Creating peer-support initiatives and mental health resources at Penn
• Leaving medical school, identity loss, and the impact of hospitalization
• The waxing and waning nature of depression over a lifetime
• Learning to process “negative” emotions without fear
• Discovering joy again after years of numbness
• The importance of peer support and community in recovery

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction by hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanchez
 01:23 – Introducing guest Emily Director
 03:05 – Academic background and Ivy League pressures
 03:42 – Depression and loneliness at Brown University
 04:26 – Family history of mental illness (“the Director curse”)
 05:17 – Transferring schools and mental health advocacy at Penn
 06:46 – Creating a peer counseling program and screening tool
 07:26 – Depression as a spectrum, unique for each person
 08:53 – Medical school struggles and worsening depression
 10:01 – Leaving med school, identity loss, and hospitalization
 11:32 – The role of therapy and recognizing PTSD
 12:11 – Accepting sadness and reframing emotions
 13:35 – Naming emotions to reduce panic about sadness
 15:20 – Depression as an ongoing, waxing-waning condition
 16:18 – Experiencing joy again after long numbness
 17:02 – Fear of losing support during recovery
 18:32 – Daily struggles with basic tasks during depression
 19:17 – Co-host reflections on debilitating depression
 20:30 – Practical tips for functioning (preview of next episode)
 21:38 – Power of peer support and community invitation
 22:27 – Call for listener engagement and feedback
 22:47 – Closing thoughts and resources

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