Giving Voice to Depression

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/

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/