Preventing a Mental Health Crisis: Early Warning Signs and Steps to Stay Safe

How do you recognize when depression is escalating into a crisis—and what can you do before it reaches that point? In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we continue our conversation with Corinne, who bravely shares how calling a suicide prevention hotline saved her life during a dark period of postpartum depression.

Now, from a place of healing, she explains the warning signs of a mental health decline, the tools she uses to prevent relapse, and why early action is essential. We discuss how to create a personal “mental health scale” for monitoring your well-being, practical self-care steps to stabilize before a crisis, and the importance of connection, honesty, and support.

If you’ve ever wondered how to recognize when it’s time to reach out for help—or how to support someone you love—this conversation offers both hope and practical strategies.

Link to Corrine's original article: https://qz.com/1381952/suicide-hotlines-really-do-save-lives-i-know-because-one-saved-mine/

Primary Topics Covered:

• The lifesaving role of crisis hotlines and immediate intervention
• Postpartum depression and suicidal thoughts: Corinne’s story of survival
• Creating and using a “mental health scale” (1–10 system) to monitor well-being
• Early warning signs that depression may be worsening
• Practical steps: therapy, exercise, rest, meditation, and connection
• How openness and sharing reduce stigma and isolation
• Why prevention and early intervention matter as much as crisis response

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to the episode and its purpose
 01:14 – Corinne’s story: postpartum depression and the suicide hotline call that saved her life
 02:06 – Shifting from survival to recovery: how hope returned
 03:23 – Why sharing stories of recovery is essential for reducing stigma
 04:25 – Building a “mental health scale” to track warning signs before a crisis
 05:31 – Practical steps to take when symptoms worsen (therapy, connection, rest, exercise, meditation)
 06:20 – The importance of reaching out to trusted loved ones
 07:34 – Recognizing the difference between normal sadness and a mental health crisis
 08:42 – Why early intervention makes recovery easier and more effective
 09:19 – How hotlines provide immediate “shock paddles” to restart hope
 10:44 – The danger of secrecy: why openness saves lives
 11:06 – Reframing honesty about depression as “the gift of sharing your experience”
 12:04 – Proactive strategies to change course before a breakdown
 12:33 – Why silence and shame make depression worse
 13:07 – Closing thoughts: breaking stigma and honoring shared stories

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