Coping with Depression and Anxiety: Stories of Loss, Healing, and Hope

How do you cope with depression and anxiety when life feels overwhelming?

Season 8 of Giving Voice to Depression was filled with powerful stories of survival, loss, and resilience. In this recap, Bridget and Terry revisit the season’s most impactful guests and lessons — offering both hope and practical tools for mental health recovery.

Highlights include:

• A grieving mother’s plea for honesty after losing her son to suicide
• Six behaviors to avoid when coping with mental illness
• A father and son’s journey of generational healing through openness
• Dr. Zach Bush on the gut-brain connection and depression
• Canadian artist Jeff Beyer on expressing depression through painting
• Tara’s reminder that there is no “normal” — and why that’s freeing
• EFT/Tapping as a portable tool for managing depression and stress
• Conversations about living with both anxiety and depression

Whether you’re seeking signs of depression, ways to cope, or inspiration from others who’ve been there, this episode offers perspective and support.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Suicide prevention and the importance of honesty in treatment
• Coping mistakes to avoid in depression recovery
• Breaking family silence and stigma around depression
• How the gut-brain connection impacts mood
• Using art to express and share mental health struggles
• Letting go of “normal” and embracing openness
• EFT/Tapping as a tool for depression and anxiety relief
• Language to use (and avoid) when supporting someone with anxiety

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome & why season recaps matter
 01:44 Episode 86 — A mother’s lessons after her son’s suicide (Patty Kajawa)
 03:00 Episode 87 — A grieving mother’s message to depressed teens
 04:22 Episode 88 — Six behaviors to avoid when coping with mental illness (Catherine)
 05:38 Episode 89 — Generational healing: a father and son speak openly about depression
 06:46 Episode 90 — Gut-mind health connection with Dr. Zach Bush
 08:05 Episode 91 — When art imitates depressed life (Jeff Beyer, part 1)
 09:29 Episode 92 — When depression can no longer be hidden (Jeff Beyer, part 2)
 11:07 Episode 93 — “There is no normal” with Tara
 12:27 Episode 94 — Bonus toolkit: EFT/Tapping with Brad Yates
 14:01 Episode 95 — Anxiety and depression with Jordan
 14:29 Closing reflections on Season 8 and what’s ahead in Season 9

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