Giving Voice to Depression: Real Stories & Expert Support for Depression and Mental Health

The holidays can bring joy, but for many, they also bring anxiety, sadness, and stress. In this episode, Dr. Anita Sanz and Terry McGuire discuss the mental health challenges people often face during the holiday season—from family dysfunction and social pressures to grief and isolation. With relatable stories and proven strategies, they explore how to cope, set boundaries, simplify expectations, and find your own meaning in the holidays—even when things get tough.Primary Topics Covered:Why the holiday season can worsen depression symptomsCoping with family dysfunction and stressful interactionsSetting boundaries and managing expectationsGrieving during the holidays and honoring lost loved onesDealing with loneliness when you're alone for the holidaysThe “holiday bingo card” technique for managing stressThe importance of buffer days and self-care during and after the holidaysTimestamps:00:00 - Intro 00:11 - About the Podcast and Hosts 01:09 - Why Holidays Are Especially Hard with Depression 02:24 - Energy Demands and Emotional Exhaustion 03:47 - Family Dynamics and Emotional Fallout 04:52 - Financial Stress and Disrupted Routines 05:43 - Simplifying Expectations and Protecting Energy 06:50 - Being the Co-Creator of Your Holiday Experience 07:53 - Coping with Holiday Loneliness and Isolation 09:43 - Grief and Celebrating Without a Loved One 11:23 - The “Holiday Bingo Card” Coping Strategy 14:22 - Setting Boundaries and Planning Buffer Days 15:57 - Final Tips for Mental Health During the Holidays 16:43 - How to Share Feedback 17:22 - Wrap-Up and Well Wishes 17:28 - Final Thoughts and EncouragementExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

The holidays can be especially painful for those facing grief and depression. In this episode, hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz speak with grief expert Krista St. Germain about the overlap between grief and depression, how holiday rituals can intensify feelings of loss, and strategies for coping during a season that often emphasizes celebration and togetherness. From setting boundaries to learning how to fully experience and process emotions, Krista shares practical tools and compassionate insights for navigating this difficult time of year.Links to related resources:Krista's website: Coaching with Krista — Life Coaching for Widowed MomsPsychology Today article: Working Through Grief During the Holidays | Psychology TodayPrimary Topics Covered:The differences and overlap between grief and depressionHow holiday rituals and expectations can intensify griefGiving yourself permission to change or release traditionsThe importance of communicating needs and setting boundaries“Should” thinking and anticipating difficult emotionsPractical tools like the NOW method (Name, Open, Witness) and EFT tappingNavigating family conflicts during the holidaysAllowing yourself and others space to grieve authenticallyTimestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:09 Who This Episode Is For During the Holiday Season 01:49 The Many Ways Grief Can Be Triggered During Holidays 03:37 Differences and Overlap Between Grief and Depression 05:17 How Depression Includes Grief Over Lost Opportunities 05:59 Expanding the Definition of Grief Beyond Bereavement 07:31 Losses Beyond Death That Can Trigger Grief 08:17 Holiday Expectations and the Pressure to Be Happy 09:38 Rewriting Traditions and Setting Boundaries 10:51 Communicating Holiday Needs to Others 12:18 When Grief and Family Needs Conflict 12:32 “Should Thinking” and Holiday Expectations 13:03 Anticipating Negative Feelings Before Events 14:34 Learning How to Fully Feel Emotions 15:07 The NOW Method for Processing Emotions 17:13 Navigating Resistance from Others During Holidays 18:10 Boundaries and the Discomfort of Saying No 19:05 Grieving Non-Traditional Losses and Unmet Expectations 20:09 Mindfulness and Allowing Emotions Without Judgment 22:14 Giving Others Permission to Feel Disappointed 23:05 Handling Pushback and Accusations of Selfishness 24:51 Boundaries Around How Others Expect You to Grieve 26:05 EFT Tapping as a Tool for Managing Emotions 26:45 Looking Ahead: Protecting Mental Health at Holidays 27:51 Closing Reflections and OutroExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Caring for someone with depression can feel overwhelming—and without clear boundaries, it can take a serious toll on relationships. In this episode, Gwen shares the ground rules she and her husband created to keep their family functioning while navigating depression together.From recognizing early warning signs to setting realistic expectations, Gwen explains how her family learned to balance compassion with accountability. She also highlights the importance of small daily acts of kindness, protecting family life from being consumed by depression, and making space for joy even in dark times.Co-hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz reflect on why caregiver support for depression is so essential—and why caregivers must also prioritize their own well-being, community, and self-care.This conversation is a guide for anyone supporting a loved one with depression, offering both practical strategies and emotional reassurance: you are not alone, and your efforts matter.Primary Topics Covered:Why National Caregiver Month matters for depression supportHow depression impacts not just the individual, but their whole familyGwen’s lived experience supporting a husband and children with depressionThe importance of setting ground rules in a household with depressionEarly-warning signs and communication strategies for caregiversBalancing responsibility: asking “What can you do?” vs. “Do everything”How timing and word choice matter when raising concernsSmall daily acts of kindness that reinforce connectionMaking space for joy even when depression is presentWhy caregivers must find their own support network and self-care outletsHelpful resources for families: Families for Depression Awareness and moreTimestamps:00:00 – Intro: Why caregivers need support too  01:09 – National Caregiver Month and its importance  02:12 – Gwen’s experience supporting a husband and two teens with depression  03:26 – Finding hope: looking for “glimmers” of joy in hard times  04:00 – Ground rules: communication agreements and early-warning signs  05:22 – Spotting patterns: irritability, withdrawal, increased sleep  06:06 – Balancing responsibility: “What can you do?” instead of “Do everything”  07:34 – Timing conversations: why word choice and when you talk matters  09:36 – Daily acts of kindness to maintain connection in relationships  11:17 – Ground rule: letting the family continue life, even if one member can’t participate  13:31 – Talking with kids and friends about depression without shame  15:16 – Remembering who your partner was before depression took hold  16:56 – The importance of caregivers finding their own support system  19:05 – Being honest with trusted friends about how hard it really is  20:56 – Resources for families and caregivers: Families for Depression Awareness, MHA, ADAA  23:24 – Closing reflections: supporting caregivers so they don’t burn out  Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Caring for someone with depression can feel isolating, overwhelming, and exhausting—especially when it’s your partner or child. In this candid episode, Gwen shares her experience of 23 years of marriage, raising children, and managing family life alongside her husband’s severe depression.From setting boundaries to practicing self-care, Gwen explains how she’s learned to avoid being “sucked into the vortex,” keep her family functioning, and still hold space for joy. With compassion and honesty, she shares strategies for co-parenting, nudging loved ones toward treatment, and finding balance when depression threatens to take over the household.This conversation is both a lifeline and a validation for caregivers: you’re not alone, your needs matter too, and recovery—both for you and your loved one—is possible. Resources for Caregivers:Home - Families for Depression Awareness (familyaware.org)Getting Started: Guide for New Mental Health Caregivers | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)Caregiver Mental Health | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAAPrimary Topics CoveredThe challenges of being a long-term caregiver for a spouse with depressionParenting teenagers while managing a partner’s mental health strugglesSetting and enforcing healthy boundaries as a caregiverHow to avoid being “sucked into the vortex” of someone else’s depressionCoping with the loneliness of feeling disconnected in marriageWhy self-care is essential for caregivers’ survivalThe role of family therapy and shared responsibilities in recoveryGentle “nudging” strategies to encourage treatment and activityHow depression impacts relationships differently than physical illnessThe hope that caregiving and communication can improve over timeTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction: National Caregiver Month and why this episode matters  02:23 – Margaret’s story and the call for caregiver-focused support  03:53 – Gwen’s background: 23 years of marriage and raising kids with depression in the family  05:01 – The roller coaster of living with a partner’s severe depression  05:56 – Mourning expectations of marriage and learning to adapt  06:50 – Seeing depression as an illness, not a choice  07:21 – When caregivers lose their cool: pushing for treatment and action  08:02 – Building boundaries and standing firm against harmful behaviors  09:22 – Avoiding the vortex: Gwen’s roller coaster metaphor  10:31 – Partnering and co-parenting when someone withdraws  11:56 – Practical tools: paying bills together, meal planning, and shared calendars  12:42 – Why starting small activities helps break through depression  14:29 – Gentle nudging vs. forcing treatment: stages of change in action  16:54 – The difference between caregiving for depression and physical illness  17:42 – Asking loved ones what kind of support actually helps  18:40 – Why caregiver self-care is critical: filling your own cup first  19:46 – The ground rules and wellness planning that keep relationships functioning  21:37 – Protecting the relationship: not letting depression dictate everything  22:26 – The importance of talking openly about depression in the Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Primary Topics CoveredEmotional toll of living with a partner with depressionParenting while managing a spouse's mental illnessThe difference between emotional and physical caregivingThe power of shared experience and validationCoping strategies and the need for external supportCommunication approaches when depression causes emotional withdrawalThe stigma and isolation of mental health in familiesTimestamps00:00 - Intro 00:11 - Welcome and purpose of the podcast 00:32 - Meet the hosts and their mental health experiences 01:10 - Introduction to Margaret's story 01:43 - Background on Margaret's relationship and husband's diagnosis 02:52 - Margaret’s personal request for community and insight 03:20 - Challenges of living with a depressed partner 04:56 - Hopes of hearing from others with shared experience 05:41 - Recognizing the need for caregiver support 07:18 - Margaret reflects on expectations vs. reality of living with depression 08:52 - Coping with rejection from a depressed partner 10:23 - Emotional complexities of caregiving in mental health 12:02 - Lack of understanding from social circle 12:55 - What Margaret wishes people understood 14:24 - Yearning for teamwork in mental health struggles 15:07 - Requests for advice from others in similar situations 16:12 - Importance of validating caregiver struggles 17:45 - How to support a partner without enabling isolation 21:18 - Creating boundaries and recovery action plans 22:33 - Destigmatizing depression as a medical condition 23:19 - Reinforcing a loved one’s value and presence 24:30 - Closing thoughts and reminder to speak up and listenExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

In today’s episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Terry and Anita discuss how constant exposure to traumatic news affects our mental health. Drawing on insights from therapists and Dr. Robert Duff (aka Duff the Psych), they explore vicarious traumatization—the way we absorb trauma simply by witnessing it in the media.Listeners will learn why our brains struggle with the nonstop replay of violent or tragic events, and how this repeated exposure can fuel anxiety, fear, and even symptoms of PTSD. More importantly, the episode offers actionable strategies for staying informed without becoming overwhelmed, including setting limits, choosing healthier ways to consume news, and creating balance by intentionally bringing “lightness” into your day.If you’ve been feeling drained, anxious, or helpless after following world events, this conversation will help you understand what’s happening and how to protect your mental health.Related News Article: www.huffpost.com/entry/violent-me…nxiety_n_6671732Related Research: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4803729/Dr. Robert Duff (Duff the Psych) website: www.duffthepsych.com/Primary Topics Covered:What vicarious or secondary traumatization means and how it happensThe impact of repeated exposure to traumatic media imagesWhy no one is immune to distress from news coveragePractical strategies for protecting your mental health while staying informedThe importance of balance and creating intentional lightnessTimestamps:00:00 Intro and framing the topic of news-related trauma 01:05 How witnessing traumatic events impacts mental health 02:00 Listener feedback and real-world examples 02:54 Introducing Dr. Robert Duff (Duff the Psych) 04:40 Healthy ways to consume news without being overwhelmed 05:21 The risks of “going down the information hole” 05:55 Why our brains weren’t designed for nonstop traumatic exposure 06:40 Strategies for setting boundaries and knowing your limitsExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Sometimes, the simplest gestures can make the biggest difference. In this moving episode, Rosaleen shares how she went from despair—believing she was worthless and alone—to feeling surrounded by love, thanks to dozens of short, heartfelt messages from strangers in our online community.Co-hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz reflect on the power of real depression support—why it doesn’t have to be complicated, why validation matters more than fixing, and how even a heart emoji or a few words can help someone survive their darkest night.This episode is a reminder that support works best when it’s simple, genuine, and rooted in shared understanding. It’s also proof that you don’t have to have the “perfect words” to make a difference—you just need to show up.Primary Topics Covered:What real depression support looks and feels likeWhy simple gestures (heart emojis, short messages, hugs) matter mostThe danger of reacting only to anger or negativity in depressionRosaleen’s story: from feeling worthless to feeling understoodHow strangers in a Facebook community helped her survive a dark nightThe healing power of validation vs. trying to fix someone’s painWhy lived experience makes supportive words more powerfulThe ripple effect: how supporting someone else can heal us tooPractical advice: what to say (and not say) when someone is hurtingTimestamps:00:00 – Intro and connection to last week’s episode  01:10 – Introducing Rosaleen’s story of real support  02:10 – Why validating pain matters more than fixing it  02:58 – How the story began: a listener complaint  04:15 – Depression isn’t always sadness—sometimes it’s anger  04:51 – Rosaleen describes feeling empty and hopeless  05:47 – Asking for community support (with hesitation)  06:33 – Messages of love and support begin pouring in  07:26 – Rosaleen: “The pain was different. There was healing.”  08:15 – Belonging vs. feeling like an individual in pain  09:02 – The impact of simple gestures: hugs and hearts  10:43 – Why short messages matter more than long posts  12:05 – Examples of supportive words that truly helped  13:36 – How community support shifted Rosaleen’s self-worth  15:32 – Helping others as a way of healing yourself  16:18 – Rosaleen: “I wanted to live because of their kindness.”  18:02 – Why this story is especially timely today  19:21 – Heart emojis, simple words, and why they matter  21:00 – Dr. Sanz on “dark nights of the soul” and hope  24:34 – Why support from lived experience carries more weight  25:39 – Closing gratitude for Rosaleen and the community  26:21 – Final reflections: speak up, listen, and show up  Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

When someone you love is struggling with depression, knowing what to say can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we share real, heartfelt messages of support collected from our Giving Voice to Depression community — words that made a real difference to someone in crisis.You’ll hear authentic, compassionate responses that show how powerful even a short message can be. We also discuss why validation matters, the healing role of empathy, and what types of comments to avoid.Whether you’re supporting a friend, family member, or colleague — or need to hear these words yourself — this episode is a reminder that you are not alone, and your words can be a lifeline.Primary Topics Covered:The importance of real, non-judgmental support for depressionExamples of what to say to someone struggling (community messages)Why validation and empathy matter more than “fixing”The dangers of dismissive comments like “just snap out of it”Distraction as a healthy coping strategy during depressive episodesHow support works both ways — helping others can help you tooBuilding true community around mental health strugglesTimestamps:00:00 Intro and setup: why this conversation matters 02:30 Community messages of hope and support 06:30 The role of distraction as a mental health tool 09:30 Longer encouragements and reminders that depression lies 13:20 Why lived experience makes support more powerful 16:50 Support as a two-way connection: helping and being helped 20:30 Community empathy: giving support even while struggling 24:30 Why you don’t need perfect words to show up for someone 27:30 Reflections on healing power of community stories 30:30 Closing thoughts: a resource for listeners in dark momentsExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Recovery from depression is not a straight line—it’s a journey of progress, setbacks, and resilience. In this candid episode, Lacey shares what she’s learned both as someone who has lived with depression and now works as a mental health provider.She explains why setbacks and relapses are not failures but opportunities to grow stronger and develop new coping tools. Lacey also emphasizes the power of listening without judgment, holding space for someone in pain, and resisting the urge to “fix” what can’t be fixed with quick words.This episode offers insight for anyone living with depression and for those who want to know how to truly support someone they love.Primary Topics Covered:Why recovery from depression is non-linear and more like a circle than a straight lineThe difference between relapse and failure—and why setbacks can make you strongerHow people without lived experience may misunderstand depression recoveryThe importance of recognizing early warning signs of depression returningHow friends can support: listening, holding space, and avoiding “fix-it” adviceWhy people with depression often just need presence, not solutionsLanguage and questions that make support easier and saferThe harm of turning conversations toward your own experience instead of listeningWhy being truly heard is one of the most healing gifts in depression recoveryTimestamps:00:11 Introduction to the episode with Terri and Dr. Anita Sands 01:02 Personal vs. expert perspectives on depression 02:31 Lacey’s experience as both therapy patient and provider 03:31 Why recovery is not linear but cyclical 05:20 How relapse and setbacks can actually build resilience 06:55 Recognizing early warning signs before a deep slide 07:38 Supporting a friend with bipolar disorder by holding space 09:19 What people with depression most need from supporters: presence and listening 10:36 Why asking for support is so difficult—and how to make it easier 11:12 The lie of isolation: remembering you’re not truly alone 12:19 Language supporters can use to make reaching out safer 13:03 Asking: “Do you want advice, solutions, or just someone to listen?” 14:19 Why journaling and therapy work: being heard and externalizing thoughts 14:56 The mistake of “me too” stories that shift focus away from the person struggling 16:39 The deep human need to be seen and heard 17:55 Takeaways: notice, re-ask, and listen as the best ways to help 20:07 How to check in while respecting someone’s boundaries 22:15 Creative ways to remind someone they’re not alone (humor, small gestures) 23:44 Why relapse is not failure but part of recovery 24:41 Closing thoughts and resourcesExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Depression can show up suddenly, even in a supportive home. For Lacey, symptoms of depression and anxiety began at age 14—confusing her family, friends, and even herself.In this episode, she shares how therapy and medication helped her understand that what she was going through wasn’t just “teen angst,” but real depression that deserved care and support. For the first time, someone told her that mental health was just as important as physical health.Lacey also describes the moment that changed everything: learning that her grandmother, father, and generations before her had also lived with depression. That realization lifted the shame she felt and gave her the first real sense of hope that she could live a full life with depression.Her story is a reminder that early recognition, the right therapist, and open family conversations can turn despair into possibility.Primary Topics Covered:Early signs of teen depression and how they differ from “normal teenage moods”Why uncontrollable crying and eating changes raised red flagsHow therapy gave Lacey her first sense of validation and understandingThe long process of finding the right antidepressant and balanceWhy finding the right therapist matters and may take patienceHow family conversations reduce shame and build hopeGenerational depression and the relief of learning you’re not aloneThe importance of accepting all emotions, not trying to erase sadnessWhy vulnerability is the key to connection and recoveryTimestamps:00:05 Introduction to Season 19 and the power of shared stories 02:07 Why organic conversations lead to deeper lessons 03:20 Meet Lacey: from teen patient to adult social worker 03:30 Symptoms at age 14: crying, withdrawal, eating struggles 04:16 Friends confused by her sudden personality shift 04:56 Why uncontrollable crying pushed her to seek therapy 05:30 Her mom’s perspective: bulimia, not eating, flat affect 06:20 First therapy experience: life-changing validation 06:55 Learning that mental health is as important as physical health 07:24 Therapist explains this is not normal teen angst 08:17 Starting medication and the long trial-and-error process 10:02 Learning to accept all emotions instead of rejecting sadness 10:39 Why finding the right therapist is like finding the right fit in any relationship 11:43 Family revelation: grandmother and father also lived with depression 12:30 The epiphany that lifted shame and brought the first hope 13:28 Vulnerability as the key to connection and healing 14:20 Lacey’s perspective as both patient and provider 15:28 Blurred lines between “mental health” and “mental illness” 16:06 The importance of therapists who teach acceptance and balance 17:16 Closing preview of Part Two: non-linear recovery and real supportExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/