Mental Health Stories: Signs of Depression and Paths to Recovery

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

Season 8 of Giving Voice to Depression brings together powerful stories of resilience, creativity, and healing. In this season recap, Bridget and Terry revisit conversations with guests who shared openly about suicide prevention, stigma, and the different ways people navigate their mental health journey.

Highlights include:

• A grieving mother’s plea for honesty after losing her son to suicide
• Six common mistakes people make when coping with depression
• A father and son’s courageous conversation about family stigma
• Dr. Zach Bush on the gut-brain connection and depression
• Artist Jeff Beyer’s story of painting through pain
• Why “there is no normal” — and why that’s freeing
• EFT/Tapping as a tool for stress, depression, and anxiety
• Living with both anxiety and depression in everyday life

This episode offers both perspective and tools — a reminder that while depression is isolating, you are not alone.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Suicide prevention and the importance of speaking honestly
• Common mistakes when coping with depression
• Breaking silence in families around mental illness
• How gut health influences mood and depression
• Using art to express and survive depression
• The power of rejecting “normal” and embracing authenticity
• EFT/Tapping as a self-help tool for anxiety and depression
• Language and connection in supporting loved ones

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome & introduction to Season 8 recap
 01:40 Episode 86 — A mother’s lessons after her son’s suicide (Patty Kajawa)
 03:05 Episode 87 — What she wants depressed teens to know
 04:25 Episode 88 — Six mistakes to avoid when coping with mental illness (Catherine)
 05:42 Episode 89 — A father and son’s healing conversation about depression
 06:50 Episode 90 — The gut-brain connection with Dr. Zach Bush
 08:15 Episode 91 — Painting through depression (Jeff Beyer, part 1)
 09:40 Episode 92 — Depression unmasked: when art reveals struggle (Jeff Beyer, part 2)
 11:15 Episode 93 — “There is no normal” with Tara
 12:30 Episode 94 — EFT/Tapping as a portable coping tool with Brad Yates
 14:05 Episode 95 — Anxiety and depression: daily realities with Jordan
 15:00 Reflections on themes of Season 8
 16:10 Closing thoughts and invitation to the GVTD community

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