Living With Depression: Sarah’s Story of Stigma, Suicidal Thoughts & Healing

What happens when you decide there’s “no more BS” when talking about depression? In this candid and unfiltered conversation, Sarah, a 28-year-old actress and personal trainer, shares her lived experience with depression, suicidal thoughts, and the impact of stigma.

She opens up about the role of hormones in her most severe episode, how suicidal ideation felt like it came “out of nowhere,” and why she chooses to speak openly and shame-free about mental illness. Sarah also shares the coping tools that help her most, from support groups to pug videos, and the mindset shift that keeps her going: “I don’t feel fine, but I am fine.”

This episode is a reminder that stigma kills, but stories save lives—and that talking openly about depression can make all the difference.

Link to the article quoted: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression/art-20047725

Primary Topics Covered:

• Sarah’s decision to share her mental health story without shame
• How depression distorts thought patterns and fuels suicidal ideation
• The role of support groups in reducing isolation
• Why stigma prevents people from seeking help
• The connection between hormones, birth control, and depression
• Tools Sarah uses to cope: community, movement, joy, and reframing thoughts
• Insights from Mayo Clinic on hormones and depression
• The importance of speaking up and seeking treatment

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and welcome
 02:45 - Why sharing mental health stories matters
 03:12 - Meet Sarah: no BS about depression
 04:07 - How depression shifts thoughts toward worthlessness
 05:01 - Alcohol, suicidal ideation, and finding safety in support groups
 05:26 - Stigma, culture, and why emotions aren’t “sexy”
 06:14 - Removing stigma to open doors for help
 07:01 - The ups and downs of living with depression
 07:39 - Sarah’s coping strategies: support groups, friends, pug videos
 07:57 - The phrase that helps: “I don’t feel fine, but I am fine”
 09:13 - Hormones, birth control, and suicidal depression
 10:38 - Mayo Clinic insights on hormones and depression
 14:50 - Symptoms to watch for and when to seek help
 15:29 - Closing thoughts and resources

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