Coping with Depression and Anxiety: Mental Health Stories of Hope and Healing

How do you cope with depression and anxiety — and how do you support loved ones who are struggling?

Season 12 of Giving Voice to Depression explored powerful personal stories and expert insights on living with depression, preventing relapse, and breaking the silence around suicide. In this recap episode, Bridget and Terry revisit highlights from the season, offering both hope and practical tools for recovery.

You’ll hear from:

• Savannah Wall on feeling homesick for the person she was before depression
• Lori on how pets can help with depression by providing routine, exercise, and unconditional love
• Gary on confronting the stigma he once carried, and learning depression is not a choice
• Douglas Bloch on preventing depression relapse and spotting early warning signs
• Deb Sherwood on the cost of secrecy after her husband’s suicide — and why words matter
• Researchers on how the language of depression reveals hidden warning signs
• Becky Stoll on the risks after psychiatric hospitalization and the urgent need for better care

This season is filled with wisdom, honesty, and courage — reminding us that while depression and suicide are complex, healing and connection are always possible.

Primary Topics Covered:

• What it feels like to lose yourself in depression
• The role of pets in coping with depression and anxiety
• Confronting the stigma: learning depression is real, not a choice
• Strategies for preventing depression relapse
• Why secrecy around suicide fuels shame
• How words shape our understanding of depression and suicide
• The heightened suicide risks after psychiatric hospitalization
• Best practices for suicide prevention and post-discharge care

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to Season 12 in Review
 01:20 Episode 126 recap — When depression makes you homesick for yourself (Savannah Wall)
 02:57 Episode 127 recap — How pets help with depression (Lori)
 04:39 Episode 128 recap — From stigma to understanding: a father’s journey (Gary)
 06:25 Episode 129 recap — Preventing depression relapse with Douglas Bloch
 07:40 Episode 130 recap — Keeping a suicide a secret (Deb Sherwood)
 08:57 Episode 131 recap — Words matter when discussing suicide (Deb Sherwood)
 10:31 Episode 132 recap — The language of depression and what words reveal
 12:00 Episode 133 recap — Post-hospitalization suicide risks (Becky Stoll)
 13:43 Episode 134 recap — When we know better, we must do better (suicide prevention practices)
 15:10 Reflections on Season 12’s lessons
 16:48 Closing thoughts and invitation to the Giving Voice to Depression community

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/