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

Stigma doesn’t just hurt feelings—it delays help, worsens depression, and puts lives at risk.In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Terry and Dr. Anita continue the stigma series with real stories from listeners and past guests who share how fear of judgment, shame, and misunderstanding shaped their mental health journeys.From being shunned at work for taking FMLA, to hiding depression from employers, to living in silence for years before seeking help, these firsthand accounts reveal the very real consequences of stigma.The episode also highlights research showing that on average, people wait ten years between the onset of symptoms and receiving treatment—a delay fueled largely by stigma.This conversation is both eye-opening and validating: if you’ve ever felt silenced by shame, you’re not alone. And if you’ve ever wondered why stigma matters, here’s the proof.Link to article: https://www.findthemind.org/articles/why-is-there-so-much-stigma-surrounding-mental-illnessPrimary Topics Covered:What stigma really is: prejudice, discrimination, and internalized shameWhy stigma prevents open conversations about depressionFirsthand stories of being shunned at work and judged for using FMLAHow stigma silences pregnant women, queer people, and faith communitiesThe “I can’t” feeling—how stigma deepens isolation and self-doubtResearch on the average 10-year delay to diagnosis and treatmentWhy many disguise mental illness as a physical condition to avoid ridiculeThe dangerous misconception that depression = weaknessWhy reducing stigma is critical for suicide prevention and early interventionA reminder that eliminating stigma benefits not just individuals, but societyTimestamps:00:11 Introduction and episode framing 01:10 Continuing the stigma series—why it matters 02:01 Quoting Dr. Corrigan on stigma as prejudice and discrimination 02:49 Listeners and guests share firsthand stigma experiences 03:11 Is there stigma? “Absolutely—alive and well.” 03:57 Fear of disclosure at work due to hiring discrimination 04:12 Stigma as laziness, weakness, or unreliability 04:29 Listener: “If I had cancer, there’d be flowers and meals. With depression, nothing.” 05:12 Bipolar diagnosis at 70—why stigma still lingers 05:36 Guests share experiences of judgment before support 05:57 Stigma during pregnancy—“People don’t understand depression then.” 06:13 Queer and faith intersections where depression isn’t discussed 06:42 The “I can’t” experience—how stigma intensifies daily struggles 07:27 Why people hide their depression out of fear of judgment 08:28 NAMI perspective: stigma still alive, delaying care 09:12 Terry’s personal story—years of untreated depression due to stigma 10:18 Fear of ridicule at work forces people to hide conditions 11:06 Stigma linked to teen suicide, family heartbreak, and silence 12:14 Why depression prevention lags far behind heart disease and cancer 13:32 Learning symptoms of heart attack vs. lack of depression education 14:07 Why there should be no shame in seeking mental health care 14:28 Discrimination for being on disability due to bipolar depression 15:21 Why education and awareness are key to reducing stigma 16:15 Stigma harms not just individuals, but society as a whole 16:52 Preview of next week’s 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/

Education alone doesn’t end stigma—stories do.In this powerful conversation, world-renowned stigma researcher Dr. Patrick Corrigan explains why sharing personal stories of lived experience is the most effective way to fight mental health stigma.Instead of relying on lectures or statistics, Corrigan’s research shows that real-life “on the way down and on the way up” stories—of both struggle and recovery—help people see depression and other mental health conditions with compassion and hope.Corrigan also shares his own story of living with mental illness, explains why authenticity reduces shame, and explores how stigma is best understood as a social justice issue led by people with lived experience—not just professionals.This episode is both a call to action and a reassurance: your voice matters, and your story could change someone else’s life.Primary Topics Covered:Why education about mental illness often fails to reduce stigmaHow lived experience and storytelling shift attitudes and perceptionsThe importance of sharing both “on the way down” and “on the way up” storiesDr. Patrick Corrigan’s personal experience with depression, bipolar disorder, and anxietyWhy authenticity and coming out reduce shame and build connectionThe risks and benefits of disclosing mental health strugglesHow lived experience has driven other stigma movements (like LGBTQ+ rights)Why mental health stigma should be treated as a social justice issueThe Honest, Open, Proud program and safe ways to share your storyEveryday strategies for reducing stigma and finding safe alliesTimestamps00:11 Introduction and welcome 01:30 Mission of Giving Voice to Depression and this episode’s focus 02:24 Guest introduction: Dr. Patrick Corrigan, leading stigma researcher 03:16 Why education about “mental illness as brain disease” doesn’t reduce stigma 03:54 The power of face-to-face interactions and recovery stories 04:29 “On the way down” and “on the way up” stories for balance and hope 05:10 Corrigan shares his personal story of mental illness and recovery 06:29 Why authenticity reduces shame and creates “me too” moments 07:51 Comparisons with the LGBTQ+ movement and visibility 08:09 The risks and benefits of disclosing mental illness 09:13 Reframing the “dirty laundry” narrative—gifts that come with mental health struggles 10:06 Why stigma must be understood as a social justice issue 10:39 The importance of lived experience in leading anti-stigma efforts 11:49 Why disclosure must be a personal, well-considered choice 12:44 Honest, Open, Proud program: safe ways to share your story 13:59 Using podcasts and third-party stories to test safe disclosure 15:04 Dr. Anita on the energy drain of hiding vs. the freedom of authenticity 16:24 Recognizing the gifts of empathy, gratitude, and compassion from lived experience 17:15 The goal: not just resilience, but thriving and social change 18:09 Call to action: listener voices needed for future stigma episodes 18:45 Closing reminders: speak up if you’re struggling, listen if someone else isExplore 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 you're living with depression, knowing what to do before a mental health crisis hits can be life-saving. In this powerful and practical episode, psychotherapist Dr. Anita Sanz joins Terry to walk listeners through creating a Mental Health Crisis Plan—a personalized, written safety net to help you stay safe and supported when things start to fall apart.This conversation continues last week’s episode on wellness planning, guiding you through the final, often neglected, phases of the WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan): identifying signs that things are getting worse, building a crisis plan, and outlining what support you’ll need during and after a crisis.If you or someone you love lives with depression, this episode provides a concrete, compassionate, and proven tool to make the darkest moments more manageable—and maybe even survivable.Link to WRAP Plan Template: www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/WRAP.pdfPrimary Topics CoveredWhat a mental health crisis looks like and how to spot it earlyCreating a personalized crisis plan before you need itWho to include in your support system (and how to prepare them)How to communicate your needs clearly during a crisisExamples of specific crisis behaviors, warning signs, and support tasksHow to build “Plan B” when Plan A failsReducing shame and normalizing mental health planningPost-crisis strategies and recovery stepsWhy this kind of planning benefits both you and your supportersTimestamps:00:00 Intro and Recap of Part 102:10 What Is a Mental Health Crisis Plan?04:13 Identifying Signs of Worsening Depression06:30 “Point of Possible Return” vs. Crisis Mode08:30 Defining a Personal Mental Health Crisis10:35 Examples of Verbal and Behavioral Crisis Cues13:30 Choosing Supporters and Sharing Your Plan14:53 What Help Looks Like During a Crisis18:30 Being Specific: Matching People to Tasks21:06 Planning for When Support Systems Fail23:03 Giving Supporters Confidence and Clarity26:21 Choosing Preferred Crisis Resources in Advance28:00 Defining Post-Crisis Recovery Signs30:50 How Long Should Support Continue After a Crisis?33:00 Reducing Shame and Encouraging Preparedness36:45 Involving Supporters Before a Full-Blown Crisis38:00 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/

A mental health wellness plan isn’t just a worksheet—it’s a lifeline. In this episode, co-hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz walk through the first part of creating a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). This practical guide helps individuals living with depression and other mental health conditions identify the daily habits, warning signs, and stressors that affect their well-being.Through personal reflection and clinical insight, they share how to identify what wellness looks like for you, what to avoid, and how to build a system of tools that supports your mental health. Whether you’re creating your first WRAP plan or revisiting one after a setback, this conversation offers a compassionate step-by-step foundation.🎧 Part 2 will cover: crisis plans, signs of breakdown, and post-crisis strategies.Here's a link to the plan outline we're following: https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/WRAP.pdfPrimary Topics CoveredWhat a WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) is and why it mattersHow to define what “wellness” means for youCreating a daily maintenance plan for mental healthIdentifying personal warning signs and stressorsTools that help when living with depressionStrategies for remembering and sustaining wellness practicesThe difference between triggers and early signs of relapseWhen and how to revise your mental health planTimestamps:00:00 – Intro and episode overview02:00 – Why building a mental health toolkit matters03:51 – What is a WRAP plan and how to use it05:11 – Defining what “well” looks like for you08:29 – Simple, accessible wellness tools that help with depression11:13 – Identifying meaning and values that inspire wellness13:44 – New tools to try and expand your mental health support list14:28 – What to avoid to stay well (habits that sabotage recovery)18:14 – Depression logic and harmful thinking patterns19:01 – Daily wellness practices that support stability22:14 – Weekly or less frequent wellness maintenance (e.g., grocery shopping)23:49 – Tools that work but need regular reminders or accountability25:47 – External accountability and buddy systems for movement26:10 – Identifying stressors that can derail mental health29:54 – Early warning signs of a depressive episode32:38 – Overreaction, irritability, and “everyone syndrome”34:09 – What’s next: breakdown and crisis planning in Part 2Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Who are you healing for? Yourself—or everyone else?In this deeply personal episode of Giving Voice to Depression, guest Ari Cohen shares her journey of living with depression since childhood. Diagnosed at 11, Ari spent years defining herself by her illness and pursuing recovery mainly to ease others’ worries or to meet external expectations.It wasn’t until her late 20s—through a trauma-informed women’s outpatient program—that Ari began shifting her motivation: choosing to recover and live for herself. Along the way, she reveals how suicidal thoughts, family loss, and lived experiences shaped her perspective, and how learning self-compassion helped her begin to believe she was worthy of a life worth living.This episode is a reminder that self-care is not selfish. Healing is possible when we stop living only for others and start embracing recovery for ourselves.Link to Families for Depression Awareness site: https://www.familyaware.org/Primary Topics Covered:How Ari’s depression began at age 11 with physical symptomsEarly treatment with antidepressants and the onset of suicidal thoughtsThe importance of supportive doctors, parents, and social workersThe impact of her stepbrother’s suicide on her personal commitment to seek helpWhy meeting peers with lived experience was life-changingHow external motivators (family, school, camp) shaped her recovery pathThe turning point in her late 20s: “Who are you doing this for?”Learning to practice self-compassion and see herself as worthyWhy caring for yourself doesn’t mean doing it by yourselfTools like the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) to manage warning signsTimestamps00:11 Introduction and hosts welcome 01:40 Why discussions often focus on others instead of the person struggling 02:26 Guest introduction: Ari Cohen’s background and journey 03:11 Diagnosed with depression at age 11 05:14 Early treatment and first suicidal thoughts triggered by medication 06:37 Emergency room experience and the importance of family support 08:15 High school years and the impact of her stepbrother’s suicide 09:29 Making a personal commitment to ask for help 10:13 Meeting a social worker who asked the life-changing question: “What do YOU need?” 11:12 Discovering the healing power of peer connection 11:28 Entering trauma-informed outpatient treatment in her late 20s 12:00 Writing a letter to suicide and seeing its role in her life story 12:06 Facing the pivotal question: “Who are you doing this for?” 13:10 Shifting from living for others to healing for herself 15:15 The difference between self-care for yourself vs. doing it by yourself 16:35 Gentle strategies for cultivating self-compassion 18:26 Hosts reflect on Ari’s wisdom and insights 20:27 Introducing WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) for upcoming episodes 22:25 Closing reflections and remindersExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

What happens when suicide leaves a child behind?In this moving episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Nic Sheff—author of Ashes in the Ocean—shares his story of losing his father to suicide at just 20 years old. His father’s death left Nic grappling with grief, guilt, confusion, and fear that he would follow in his father’s footsteps.Through writing, therapy, and years of reflection, Nic began to untangle the complicated emotions that come with suicide loss. He speaks candidly about the silence that surrounded his father’s depression, the anger he carried, and the healing he eventually found by telling his story.Nic’s openness reminds survivors of suicide loss that their pain is valid, their questions are normal, and healing is possible—even after the most devastating loss.Learn more about Sebastian and his father in the book "Ashes in the Ocean": https://www.amazon.com/Ashes-Ocean-Through-Learning-Fathers/dp/0692051198/Nic’s experience of losing his father to suicide at age 20The silence and stigma surrounding his father’s depressionGuilt, anger, and unanswered questions that follow suicide lossThe fear of repeating his father’s path and inherited riskHow writing Ashes in the Ocean became a healing outletThe importance of therapy and supportive community in grievingBreaking generational silence about mental illness and suicideWhy sharing stories helps reduce shame and offers hope to othersEncouragement to survivors that grief can soften with timeTimestamps00:11 Introduction and episode framing 01:37 Guest introduction: Nic Sheff, author of Ashes in the Ocean 02:13 Nic shares the story of his father’s suicide 04:22 The silence that surrounded his father’s depression 05:15 Immediate aftermath: shock, confusion, and guilt 06:41 Anger toward his father and the pain of abandonment 08:04 Fear of repeating his father’s path into suicide 09:35 Writing as a healing tool—why Ashes in the Ocean mattered 11:27 How therapy helped process grief and loss 12:49 Breaking the cycle of silence and shame in his family 14:02 Why storytelling is critical in suicide prevention and loss support 15:33 Reflections on healing, resilience, and hope after loss 17:00 Closing messages for suicide loss survivorsExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Is your smile hiding something deeper?In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, guest Andrew shares his candid story about the mask he wore for decades—keeping up a cheerful, functional exterior while battling deep depression and suicidal thoughts inside.Together with hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sands, Andrew explores the double-edged nature of masking depression. On one hand, it helps people survive daily obligations, protect their privacy, and avoid stigma. But on the other hand, it fuels isolation, delays help-seeking, and reinforces shame.Andrew’s writing and reflections reveal the tension between authenticity and survival, and why finding safe people and places to “drop the mask” is essential for healing.This episode will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever forced a smile while silently struggling—and offers validation, hope, and encouragement to start living more authentically.Link to Andrew Penner's blog: https://thephoenixnarrative.blog/Link to Andrew Penner's articles: https://themighty.com/u/andrew-penner/Link to Andrew Penner's Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpenner78Primary Topics Covered:What “smiling” or “functional” depression looks like in everyday lifeHow Andrew lived with undiagnosed depression for 20 yearsThe rise of suicidal thoughts and his decision to finally seek helpHow medication and self-care helped stabilize his depressionThe mask as both protector and trap: survival tool and isolatorThe stigma that pushes people to hide behind facadesThe dangers of long-term masking and why it worsens sufferingWriting and self-expression as tools to give shape to depressionThe importance of safe spaces and trusted allies for authenticityWhy masking prevents others from truly understanding our strugglesTimestamps00:11 Introduction and welcome 01:10 Defining the “mask” of smiling or functional depression 02:49 Guest introduction: Andrew and his blog Rise Above the Ashes 03:19 Living with symptoms for 20 years before diagnosis 03:37 Suicidal thoughts and the breaking point in 2015 04:27 Calling a crisis line and starting therapy/medication 04:59 How medication helped stabilize his life 05:37 Wearing a mask at work while suicidal thoughts looped inside 06:44 The mask as “bane and savior”—strength and poison 07:11 Why masking helps short-term but harms long-term 07:37 The universality of masks—social media, curated lives, facades 08:28 How stigma and stereotypes push people to hide 08:55 Masking feeds depression, making it “hungrier” 09:52 The power of facing struggles head-on instead of running 10:32 The push-pull between authenticity and hiding behind a mask 10:53 Stigma statistics—1 in 5 report, but real numbers likely higher 11:22 Delays in diagnosis: the average 10 years before seeking help 12:10 Why Andrew blogs: to give words and validation to others 13:22 The healing power of creative expression—writing, music, art 14:05 Dr. Anita on the balance of masking vs. authenticity 15:15 Hosts reflect on trust, stigma, and letting others in 15:59 Andrew’s powerful quote: “I don’t want to run from it either.” 16:19 Finding safe people and spaces to take the mask off 17:31 Closing reflections and reminder: if you’re struggling, speak upExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Living with depression often means battling thoughts that feel convincing—but aren't true. You might believe you're broken, that nothing will ever get better, or that you're the only one struggling this much. These thoughts don’t reflect reality—they reflect depression’s distorted logic.In this episode, psychotherapist Barry Winbolt joins us to unpack how depression alters thinking patterns and reinforces hopelessness. He explains how attributional styles, “depression logic,” and internalized shame shape the belief that nothing can change. But change is possible—with awareness, compassion, and the right tools.Whether you're personally living with depression or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers language, strategies, and hope. Learn how to question what depression tells you, how to shift negative thought loops, and how to gently reframe your internal story—even if you’ve been stuck in it for years.Primary Topics Covered:Why depression convinces you that you don’t have it—or that it will never endThe concept of “depression logic” and why it’s so persuasiveHow attributional (explanatory) style shapes your belief in depression’s permanenceUnderstanding the “3 P’s” of depressive thinking: personal, pervasive, and permanentWhy people resist getting help—and why that logic feels convincingThree evidence-based ways to push back against depressive thoughtsHow to coexist with depression rather than be controlled by itRewriting your story and reframing self-defeating narrativesPractical tools to challenge hopelessness and reclaim momentumThe emotional power of feeling seen, heard, and understoodTimestamps:00:00 Intro to the episode and depression’s most dangerous lies  01:19 “You don’t have depression. And you always will.” Why those lies work  02:53 Meet Barry Winbolt: therapist, partner, and lived-experience voice  03:58 What makes “depression logic” so persuasive  04:41 Hopeless reasoning: “Why try, I’ll just get depressed again”  06:25 The three P’s of depressive thinking: personal, pervasive, permanent  08:11 How depressive thinking shapes your identity and future outlook  09:50 Why labels can be helpful—or deeply harmful  11:19 The metaphor of depression as a virus: why it wants to perpetuate itself  12:03 First strategy: Challenge the thought. Ask, “Where’s the evidence?”  12:49 Second strategy: Acknowledge the thought—and act anyway  13:39 Third strategy: Learn to coexist with depression without letting it lead  14:39 Grief, loss, and compartmentalizing pain  15:33 The missing ingredient in healing: personalized conversation  16:23 Changing the narrative to create new meaning  17:21 Reflections from the co-hosts on the episode’s emotional impact  18:29 Real-life applications: using Barry’s metaphors in daily struggles  19:17 Therapist takeaway: sometimes you have to live with depression, not fight it  20:59 Absolutist thinking and the language of depression  21:50 Changing your internal story makes healing possible  22:37 Closing thoughts and reminders for continued support  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/

How do you explain depression to a child—especially when it’s their parent who is struggling?In this moving episode, Todd Rennebohm, author of Sometimes Daddy Cries, shares the deeply personal story behind his children’s book. What began as a near-suicidal night became the seed for a tool that now helps countless families talk about depression in ways children can understand.Todd, a father living with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and six years of sobriety, opens up about the challenges of parenting with mental illness, the stigma men face in acknowledging their struggles, and why normalizing depression for kids matters so much.Hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz guide the conversation, exploring how stories like Todd’s break silence, reduce fear, and remind children (and adults) that depression is treatable—and love remains constant.Link to Todd Rennebohm's book "Sometimes Daddy Cries": https://www.amazon.com/Sometimes-Daddy-Cries-Todd-Rennebohm/dp/0228834678Primary Topics Covered:Todd’s journey through depression, sobriety, and near-suicidal momentsThe origins of Sometimes Daddy Cries and why he wrote it for his kidsWhy “sad” is an entry point but doesn’t capture the depth of depressionUsing relatable experiences like tummy aches to explain mental health to childrenHow hospitalization for depression can be explained in child-friendly termsThe stigma men face when admitting to depression and seeking helpWhy open conversations prevent kids from blaming themselvesThe book’s impact not only on children but also on parents and partnersTodd’s message: depression is real, treatable, and doesn’t diminish loveTimestamps:00:11 Introduction and welcome 01:33 Introducing guest Todd Rennebaum, author and father 02:10 The dark night that led to writing Sometimes Daddy Cries 03:46 Choosing honesty and asking for help instead of ending his life 04:22 Why “sad” is both useful and inadequate for describing depression 05:09 Todd describes depression as heavy, endless, and debilitating 06:31 Using tummy aches as a relatable metaphor for children 08:07 How depression, like physical illness, sometimes requires professional help 09:22 Todd shares his experience with hospitalization 10:48 Writing the book as a way of “learning from mistakes” to help others 11:29 How the book resonates with children, partners, and men facing stigma 12:13 Todd’s core message: mental illness is normal, common, and treatable 13:32 The importance of showing kids that love remains constant through struggles 15:35 Co-host reflections on men, stigma, and the need for honesty in families 18:12 How the book helps children reframe anger and depression in their parents 18:48 Closing reflections and encouragement for listenersExplore 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 this extended conversation with Darin Olien—wellness expert, bestselling author, and co-host of Down to Earth with Zac Efron—we explore the deep connections between mental health and whole-body wellness.Darin opens up about his family’s struggles with depression and shares how nutrition, hydration, sleep, and emotional honesty play powerful roles in supporting recovery. From the gut-brain connection to the power of supportive communities, this candid interview offers both practical steps and profound encouragement.This episode is part of a new extended format where we bring you more of our guests’ voices, stories, and insights.Link to Darin Olien's website: https://darinolien.com/Primary Topics Covered:Darin Olien’s personal connection to depression through his parents’ strugglesThe gut-brain connection and how diet impacts mood and resilienceWhy unresolved trauma underlies much of our painThe importance of professional, family, and community supportSimple wellness practices to support mental health (hydration, movement, sleep, light exposure)Why therapy and honest conversations are essential to healingThe role of nature and circadian rhythms in stabilizing moodReframing identity and letting go of limiting self-beliefsHow hydration, sleep, and clean food can reduce stress and restore balanceThe importance of hope, dreams, and creating a vision for recoveryTimestamps00:00 Introduction and episode format update 02:00 Darin Olien shares his family’s struggles with depression 04:10 The impact of diet, processed foods, and gut health on depression 07:30 Trauma, pain, and the need for emotional healing 09:48 Building resiliency through professional and community support 11:00 The importance of therapy, honesty, and safe spaces 12:40 Active listening as a tool for connection and healing 14:15 Men’s groups, stigma, and finding supportive communities 18:45 Healing trauma and reframing identity 20:14 Genes, wellness, and the power of lifestyle choices 23:50 The role of sleep and circadian rhythms in mental health 26:14 Food as “nature’s packaged medicine” and making small shifts 30:00 The gut-brain connection and how cravings change with diet 34:22 Parallels between depression and toxic microbes—feeding the positive 35:14 Hydration, energy, and the hidden effects of dehydration 38:35 Practical advice: build a foundation with food, water, sleep, and support 41:17 Closing reflections and invitation for listener feedbackExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/