Giving Voice to Depression

Too many people are experiencing suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress without the support and care they need. The pandemic has made a that situation worse. On July 16, 2022, the former 800-number for the Suicide Prevention Lifeline is changing to the much-easier-to-remember 9-8-8, a variation of the 9-1-1 emergency line.The 988 Lifeline is a national network of over 200 local, independent crisis centers equipped to help people in mental health-related distress or experiencing a suicidal crisis via call, chat, or text. The 988 Lifeline provides free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the U.S. It's being touted as a step toward transforming mental health care in the U.S., though that is a huge project that will take much more time and resources.In this episode we revisit an interview with the Lifeline's director, Dr. John Draper, who talks about how reaching out to a lifeline can help.https://recovery.com/https://givingvoicetodepression.com/Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/VoiceDepressionTerry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

When we see headlines and hear reports that the U.S. is experiencing a "youth mental-health crisis," it can be too easy to get lost in the reports and statistics and forget that we are talking about kids: our children, someone's best friend, a cherished sibling, loving cousin, neighbor or beloved grandchild. Each person represented in the numbers of people suffering, losing hope, needing help, attempting or dying by suicide matters. Lauren is one of them. At 15 she attempted suicide. Two years later, with her parents permission, she shares her story and messages of regret, recovery and hope.https://recovery.com/https://givingvoicetodepression.com/Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/VoiceDepressionTerry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Depression, as anyone with it can tell you, can seem to come on with no warning or trigger. One minute you can feeling pretty good, and the next you might realize your mood has drastically changed, you're uncharacteristically angry, very sad, numb or even thinking about death. There are also times when you may feel it "coming on," the way you feel early symptoms of another illness. And that's the time to start pulling out tools from your mental-health toolkit to try to stay ahead of it, or reduce the depth of the slide into depression's dark pit. In this episode, cohosts Terry and Anita talk about "forecasting" depression. Just like we pack a sweater or umbrella when weather is likely to change, we can do the mental equivelant when conciously heading into a time that we know will be difficult. This was not a theoretical discussion. It was rooted in Terry's decision to start therapy in the months preceeding her mother's recent death. This 19-minute episode could empower you to "forecast" mental-health challenges and take steps to protect yourself.https://recovery.com/https://givingvoicetodepression.com/Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/VoiceDepressionTerry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Four years ago our mother, at age 93, shared that she was not sure if she was clinically depressed or if she was just finding her final years of life depressing. Mary, who passed away last month, shared her story and a message for the children and grandchildren of seniors. Please join us in this tribute episode, honoring our mother's message.https://recovery.com/https://givingvoicetodepression.com/Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/VoiceDepressionTerry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Depression is too dark and heavy to face alone. So we're told to "reach out for help." But HOW? What words do we use, especially when we might not have the energy or the insight to articulate our struggle? And how the hell are we suppose to come up with effective language that honors we deserve help when depression convinces us no one cares, or that we're a burden. This 2-part podcast will tell you how! Our guest, Sam Dylan Finch, took the time to make a list of 10 Ways to Reach Out. In part two, we will explore the last five of them. Please listen AND share. It's potentially life-saving and certainly life-supporting information.Here is a link to Sam's article which you can print out as a reminder/resource: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-ways-to-reach-out-when-youre-struggling-with-your-mental-health/https://recovery.com/https://givingvoicetodepression.com/Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/VoiceDepressionTerry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

How many times have you heard: "Reach out if you are struggling."But how? What should you say? When should you say it and to whom?It can all sound straight forward and obvious from the outside, or from wellness. But in dark times, or hours of crisis, nothing is clear. And with depression convincing you noone cares about or would want to help you, it's even more complicated.An articulate, caring and experienced mental health advocate made a list of 10 Ways to "Reach Out" When You're Struggling With Your Mental Health. We discuss his first 5 suggestions in this episode.Link to Sam's list: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-ways-to-reach-out-when-youre-struggling-with-your-mental-health/Link to Sam's blog: letsqueerthingsup.com/tag/mental-health/https://recovery.com/https://givingvoicetodepression.com/Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/VoiceDepressionTerry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

In 2017, two sisters with depression who have lost loved ones by suicide decided to start a podcast to spread first-person stories of people who live with and manage their depression so that listeners would gain information and hope. This month, one of them (the younger one) is retiring. In this intimate conversation, the sisters discussed what they've learned from more than 5 years of interviews and shedding light on the stigmatized topics of depression, suicidal thoughts, attempts and loss.It's a peek behind the curtain of two sisters with a passion for mental-health advocacy, and each other. Please listen.https://recovery.com/https://givingvoicetodepression.com/Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/VoiceDepressionTerry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

For more than 5 years, Bridget has co-hosted this podcast. It was a "sister-project" from day one. Each week, we interviewed a different person about their experience of depression. Now she is stepping down to pursue her other work and responsibilities. In the first of two episodes, the sisters talk about lessons learned. It's an intimate conversation about the experience of sitting in the dark with people on a weekly basis. Please listen and if you're so inclined, leave Bridget a recorded message on our website givingvoicetodepression.comhttps://recovery.com/https://givingvoicetodepression.com/Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/VoiceDepressionTerry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

When depressed, it can be so easy to believe that we are powerless and that there is nothing we can do to get out of depression's pit. Cognitive Behavior Therapy, or CBT, is considered one of the most effective evidence-based treatments for depression. By understanding the interplay and interconnectivity between our thoughts, feelings and behaviors, we can learn to challenge our thoughts and change our behaviors, which will directly impact how we feel.Last week's guest Patti, said while she found the concept of challenging her thoughts a difficult one to grasp, once she did, it was game-changing for her.Our guest is Dr. David Jacobi from Rogers Behavioral Health in Wisconsin. This 19-minute episode is a primer in the therapy.https://recovery.com/https://givingvoicetodepression.com/Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/VoiceDepressionTerry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Patti's mental-health journey began as a child whose parents opposed treatment and told her to "suck it up." The decades that followed have been filled with "extreme" manic and depressive episodes.At nearly 70, she has only recently learned the game-changing skill of challenging her dark thoughts and changeing her thinking patterns, something Patti never knew was even possible. It's one of three core principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT. CBT, according to the American Psychological Association, "is an approach for which there is ample scientific evidence that the methods that have been developed actually produce change," making it different from many other forms of psychological treatment.https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610https://recovery.com/https://givingvoicetodepression.com/Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/VoiceDepressionTerry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/