Giving Voice to Depression

We feel broken because our minds betray us. And then we find that the system we turn to for help, when we take that step, is broken itself. There are many challenges and barriers for people seeking help and treatment for mental-health challlenges and suicidal thoughts. While some groups are clearly disproportionately affected, few if any are spared the impact of stigma.From access, affordability, representation, discrimination and other factors, even when someone recognizes the need for help, they don't or can't necessarlly get it.In the second of two conversations with mental-health advocate Victor Armstrong, we look at the ways the mental-health care system itself is in crisis.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/

This is a blooper from our recent recording of the Season 20 in Review episode. (You can click on this link to hear the final, edited version: https://bit.ly/3szNFqC) Sometimes the words just don't come out right, or we get the giggles. Because even though we have depression, we are still quite hilarious (just ask us.) We are all so much more than our diagnoses.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 and why is it a common misconception that people with depression are weak?Imagine starting your day in a pit.Imagine battling the darkest of convincing thoughts playing non-stop in your head.Imagine having to convince yourself there is hope when your own mind is working against you.We can assure you, while it may look like "giving in" or "laziness" from the outside, it is a very different experience on the inside.Depression is NOT a weakness or personal failing.Treating it as though it is, adds to its power and danger.article quoted in episode: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/the-strength-in-depressionhttps://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/

The stories shared on this podcast have been played nearly 800,000 times in 50 countries. It's proof that people do, in fact, want to talk about and hear about depression, suidical thoughts, bipolar disorder, and mental-health management. Most importantly, we want to know that we are not the only ones experiencing these symptoms, and that we can manage and survive them. This season-in-review is a 25-minute summary of 13 recent episodes.It's a great way to try A Depression Podcast, while staying in shallow waters. If one of the guests interests and/or inspires you, please check out the full episode. They're on all streaming services as well as at 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/

In one of the most unvarnished, unstigmatized discussions we've had to date, rapper/comedian Zane Thomas tackles everything from helping a suicidal friend to how substance use has impacted his mental health, and how talking back to depression and finding ways to laugh at his diagnosis help him cope. We talk about depression and suicidal thoughts like they're common. Because for many of us, they are.www.instagram.com/zanetherapper/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/

If you have depression, you know this symptom. Our guest calls it The Impossible Task. Maybe it's making your bed, doing the dishes or laundry, taking a shower or even answering the phone. It's something you've done a million times. It's pretty simple. Until it's not. Until it feels just impossible, because of depression. And then we feel guilty because we can't do some basic task. And that feeds our depression. Sound familiar? If so, this 18-minute episode will make you feel understood, and definitely not alone.Link to an article about Molly's tweets: bit.ly/37rLjm8https://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/

If you have depression, you know this symptom. Our guest calls it The Impossible Task. Maybe it's making your bed, doing the dishes or laundry, taking a shower or even answering the phone. It's something you've done a million times. It's pretty simple. Until it's not. Until it feels just impossible, because of depression. And then we feel guilty because we can't do some basic task. And that feeds our depression. Sound familiar? If so, this 18-minute episode will make you feel understood, and definitely not alone.Link to an article about Molly's tweets: https://bit.ly/37rLjm8https://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/

Shannon, a working mother of three who had always prided herself on "being strong" and independent, realized during the pandemic that there is actually strength is asking for help. From that vulnerable place, she has forged strong and supportive friendships, and a more interdependent and cooperative relationship with her husband, too.To better manage both her mental health and life in general, Shannon is also seeing a therapist regularly for the first time, trying new forms of therapy, and listening to podcasts that support her. It's a combination of support that has her in a healthier place than she has been for a long time.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 is a breakdown a breakthrough? When it convinces someone who has "soldiered through" deeply-challenging life events and depression that it's ok to take off the mask and ask for help and support.In today's episode, when a social-media influencer known for her jokes and sarcasm "gets real" about life's challenges, including her depression, her post touches a nerve and goes viral. Now, in addition to being funny, Shannon (aka @OfficialShannyPants) talks online about her mental health, therapy, meds, and the need to reach out for help and support when needed. 21-minute episode.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 Alex realized that she couldn't say goodbye to her depression, she made the choice to say goodbye to hiding it. She says admitting that she wasn't OK was the best decision she has made for her mental health. Alex now "embraces" the new person she is-- one who is both fully accepting of the fact depression is a piece of her, AND a woman determined to not let depression win. One of Alex's articles: https://alexandriabrown12.medium.com/truth-be-told-my-depression-actually-does-define-me-27ef27107f0eAlex's book: https://www.amazon.com/You-Me-Depression-Battle-Heart-ebook/dp/B07531N5TMhttps://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/