Breaking Mental Health Stigma: Juliet Kuehnle on Language, Labels, and Vulnerability

Stigma keeps people silent—and silence keeps people suffering.

In this episode, therapist and author Juliet Kuehnle shares how she’s fighting stigma by openly discussing her own diagnoses of anxiety and persistent depressive disorder. Through both personal experience and professional expertise, Juliet explores how language, labels, and everyday choices either reinforce or break down stigma.

She outlines seven types of stigma, explains why words like “commit suicide” are harmful, and offers real-life practices—like vulnerability, authenticity, and saying “no” without apology—that help create safer, more supportive conversations about mental health.

Juliet reminds us that fighting stigma doesn’t always look like a big movement—it can start with how we talk to each other, how we share our truth, and how we show up for ourselves.

Link to Juliet Khuenle's website: https://suncounselingandwellness.com/juliet-kuehnle/

Primary Topics Covered:

• Juliet’s lived experience with anxiety and persistent depressive disorder
• How depression feels like “muted” emotions, not just sadness
• Seven different types of stigma and how they affect people
• Why language matters: shifting from harmful terms like “commit suicide”
• Diagnoses as tools for understanding, not labels for judgment
• Vulnerability as a powerful way to reduce stigma and build connection
• Why “having needs doesn’t make you needy”
• The importance of practicing self-care even when depression tells us we’re unworthy
• Setting boundaries and learning that “No” is a complete sentence
• How everyday choices can chip away at stigma

Timestamps

00:11 Intro – wrapping up the stigma series
 01:11 Why stigma keeps people from seeking help
 01:38 Guest introduction: therapist Juliet Kuehnle
 02:25 Juliet shares her diagnoses and lived experience
 03:26 Depression as “muted” feelings, not just sadness
 04:13 Understanding seven types of stigma
 05:22 Why diagnoses inform, not define us
 05:43 The harm of using labels casually (“so OCD,” “commit suicide”)
 07:25 Practicing vulnerability and authenticity to fight stigma
 08:44 Choosing safe times and places to share your story
 09:30 Vulnerability begets vulnerability—unlocking connection
 10:36 Moving beyond the rote “I’m fine” to real answers
 11:15 Why asking “Really?” can open the door to honesty
 12:17 Vulnerability as risk and reward—our deepest need to be seen
 12:47 Asking for what we need without shame
 13:42 Why having needs doesn’t make you needy
 14:18 Depression’s lies vs. acting in self-worth anyway
 15:21 Self-care as a birthright, not a “should”
 16:22 Boundaries, saying “no,” and leaving explanations behind
 17:33 How practicing these tools reduces stigma in daily life
 18:49 Why “No” is a complete sentence
 20:20 How habits reinforce unworthiness—and how action rewires it
 20:49 Language shifts that matter: “died by suicide” vs. “commit suicide”
 21:50 “Has depression” vs. “is depressed”—changing identity-based language
 22:56 Everyday practices that move us toward authenticity and wellness
 23:53 Safe disclosure: when you can say “my depression is bad” and when you don’t owe an explanation
 24:16 Closing thoughts on ending stigma and living authentically

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