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

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/

Can everyday wellness habits really support depression recovery?In this inspiring episode, bestselling author and wellness expert Darin Olien (SuperLife, Fatal Conveniences, and Netflix’s Down to Earth with Zac Efron) joins hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sands to discuss the profound connection between wellness practices and mental health.Drawing from his family’s struggles with depression and his own life challenges—including losing his home in the California wildfires—Darin shares how grief, nutrition, hydration, and lifestyle changes all play vital roles in building resilience and supporting recovery.This conversation blends science, lived experience, and hope, reminding us that while genetics and trauma matter, the daily choices we make about food, sleep, and self-care can profoundly influence our mental well-being.Link to Darin Olien's website: https://darinolien.com/Primary Topics Covered:Darin Olien’s personal experiences with depression in his familyThe connection between grief, trauma, and resilienceHow ultra-processed foods impact mood, gut health, and brain chemistryWhy hydration is often overlooked but critical for energy and mental clarityThe importance of community, therapy, and safe spaces for honestyWhy unresolved trauma is at the root of much sufferingThe power of sleep and circadian rhythms in stabilizing moodWhy genetics account for only ~20% of outcomes, and lifestyle choices for the other 80%How to give yourself permission to dream and build a life you wantPractical first steps toward wellness when energy feels lowTimestamps00:11 Welcome and introduction 01:10 Why mental health is often excluded from “wellness” conversations 02:16 Introducing Darin Olien and his work (SuperLife, Fatal Conveniences, Down to Earth) 03:29 Darin shares his family’s struggles with depression 05:37 Coping with grief after losing his father, divorce, and his home in a wildfire 07:19 The courage it takes to feel emotions fully and move through them 08:25 The connection between processed foods, gut health, and depression 09:55 Why unresolved trauma fuels much of our suffering 11:28 The importance of therapy, professional help, and safe spaces 13:01 The power of active listening and men’s groups in healing 15:03 How pain and trauma can be transformed into healing opportunities 16:20 Lifestyle choices that impact depression (nutrition, sleep, hydration) 17:51 Practical tips for nutrition and eating whole foods with limited energy 18:42 Hydration and why dehydration mimics fatigue and low mood 19:41 Darin’s closing advice: seek help and give yourself permission to dream 21:52 Hosts reflect on focusing on what we can control 23:50 Genetics vs. lifestyle: why you have more influence than you think 26:30 Closing reflections and listener invitation for 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/

What does it take to move from struggling in silence to becoming a mental health advocate?In this candid episode, writer and advocate Michelle Yang shares her powerful journey of living with bipolar I disorder, from being overlooked as a high-achieving student to experiencing a life-threatening manic episode while studying abroad.Michelle opens up about her delayed diagnosis, the stigma that kept her silent for years, and the turning point when she realized hiding her condition only reinforced shame. Today, she is a proud advocate, helping others see that life with bipolar disorder can be full, successful, and joyful.Hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz guide the conversation, exploring what it means to challenge stereotypes, balance treatment, and embrace authenticity while living with a serious mental health condition.This episode is both eye-opening and deeply validating—reminding us that mental illness does not define us.Link to Michelle's Blog: www.livingwellhappily.com/Primary Topics Covered:Michelle’s childhood pressures as a first-generation immigrant studentWhy good grades and achievements often mask serious mental health strugglesHer first major depressive and manic episodes during college abroadReceiving a bipolar I diagnosis after years of being misdiagnosedThe importance of taking a break from school and finding the right treatmentReturning to school, graduating with distinction, and building a careerHow stigma and secrecy limited her confidence and opportunities at workThe turning point: choosing to “come out” about her diagnosisChallenging myths about bipolar disorder and treatmentWhy lived-experience stories are essential to changing stigmaTimestamps00:11 Introduction and welcome 01:10 Michelle Yang’s immigrant childhood and early responsibilities 01:56 Mental health struggles overlooked due to grades and achievement 03:19 “Good grades ≠ good mental health” — Michelle’s advocacy message 04:15 First major depressive episode and study abroad struggles 05:18 Pressure from her father and a triggering manic episode in Beijing 06:59 Crisis leads to hospitalization and first bipolar diagnosis 08:52 The importance of therapy and taking a break from school 09:33 Returning to school, graduating with honors, and pursuing an MBA 10:17 Building a career while hiding her diagnosis out of fear of stigma 11:10 The personal and professional costs of keeping bipolar a secret 11:18 Challenging misconceptions about bipolar disorder and treatment 12:54 Recognizing the difference between untreated and treated illness 13:12 “Like sucking in your gut for 20 years” — her metaphor for hiding 13:19 Choosing authenticity and becoming a mental health advocate 14:30 Living a full life: mother, professional, and person with bipolar 15:11 Why advocacy matters: breaking silence and stigma 16:53 Stigma persists because we only see people in crisis, not in recovery 17:55 Michelle’s forthcoming memoir: Phoenix Girl: How a Fat Asian Girl With Bipolar Found Love (2024) 18:38 Closing reflections and reminders 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/

Can a teen be excelling academically while secretly battling depression or bipolar disorder?In this revealing episode, Michelle Yang shares her story of being a high-achieving immigrant student who outwardly had it all together—straight A’s, strong work ethic, and responsibility—while silently struggling with anxiety, depression, and undiagnosed bipolar disorder.Despite begging for therapy as a teenager, Michelle’s struggles were dismissed by adults who believed good grades meant good mental health. Cultural stigma, parental fear of leaving a “permanent record,” and a dismissive doctor’s visit all delayed her diagnosis and treatment for years.Now a thriving advocate and writer, Michelle uses her experience to shine a light on the dangerous myth that academic performance protects teens from mental illness. Her story reminds us that depression can hide in plain sight—and listening without judgment can save lives.Link to Michelle's Blog: www.livingwellhappily.com/ Primary Topics Covered:Michelle’s experience immigrating from Korea and the trauma of cultural adjustmentTaking on adult responsibilities at a young age as a translator and family caretakerThe disconnect between academic achievement and emotional strugglesEarly symptoms of bipolar disorder and severe anxiety during high schoolManic episodes, paranoia, and psychotic-like symptoms as a teenWhy teachers and professionals overlooked her needs due to good gradesThe crushing shame of feeling “different” and misunderstoodHer parents’ fear of stigma and a “permanent record” blocking college opportunitiesA secret doctor visit that ended in dismissal instead of diagnosisHow stigma delayed treatment for years—and the hope of eventual healingTimestamps00:11 Introduction and hosts’ reflections 02:01 Michelle’s background as an immigrant from Korea 03:04 Early signs of anxiety and depression in childhood 04:19 Family struggles with cultural and career shifts after immigration 05:26 Becoming a translator and caretaker at age 12 05:40 Pressure from family and the beginnings of depression 05:49 Academic achievement alongside deep anxiety and sleeplessness 06:32 Manic episodes with psychotic-like tendencies 06:42 The shame and fear after manic episodes ended 07:22 Out-of-character behaviors at school and teacher responses 08:13 How teachers and schools excused behavior as “cultural differences” 08:55 Michelle’s confusion and lack of words for her experience 09:59 Asking parents for help and begging for therapy 10:55 Her parents’ fear of stigma and “permanent record” consequences 11:50 A secret doctor visit that ended in dismissal 13:07 The heartbreak of being told she had an “overactive imagination” 13:55 Four more years until she received professional diagnosis and treatment 14:52 Hosts reflect on her resilience and eventual thriving 15:34 Closing thoughts and next week’s continuation of Michelle’s storyExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/