
Giving Voice to Depression
A podcast dedicated to reducing the isolation and stigma of depression, one story at a time. Listen to our latest episode or explore our archive of 400+ episodes.
Latest episodes

Sep 24, 2021 • 16min
Treatment Trauma, Race and Mental Health (WISE)
The factors that impact our mental health are varied, intertwined and sometimes difficult to distinguish.Other times they are clear as day.When living conditions are unhealthy or unsafe or when mental-healthcare is inadequate, unaffordable or inaccessible, the goal of recovery can seem unobtainable.In the third of a four-part series on the Intersectionality of Race, Trauma and Mental Health, we look at the role of treatment trauma. Our guest, Dr. Warren Braden says the best way to deal with a system that is not working (or is not designed to work for certain people) is to avoid it and to develop other avenues of self-care and recovery.Resources provided by Dr. Braden:borislhensonfoundation.org/This foundation was created by Taraji Henson the eradicate the stigma around mental health issues that affect the Black community.www.guilford.com/books/Black-Fami…593853464/authorThis book by Dr. Franklin is an excellent resource for clients and therapists.The link for information about the crisis centers in Milwaukee:www.mhawisconsin.org/DirectorySearc…ListingId=1486www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline is the link to the national hotline for depressionAnd finally, anyone who is interested in communicating with Dr. Braden can email him at luminousclinicalservicesllc@gmail.com.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/

Sep 21, 2021 • 20min
A Tragic Truth About Suicide (remix)
The world loves guarantees. We want to be assured that if A, then B.It comforts us and soothes our souls to believe in truths we can rely upon. But suicide prevention doesn't work like that. Knowing the signs and risk factors is a huge step. Being with someone and listening non-judgmentally can work wonders. But medications, therapy, doctors, hospitalizations and a loving family, cannot always protect against depression's despair. It's a Tragic Truth that just weeks after the death of her 18-year-old son to suicide, Patty is willing to discuss, to try to spare another family the pain hers is experiencing.*UPDATE: On what would have been her son's 21st birthday, Patty is encouraging random acts of kindness in his memory. Please post about yours with with hashtags #kujawastrong and #mentalhealthmattershttps://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/

Sep 20, 2021 • 13min
A Grieving Mother's Message (remix)
The mother of a teenager who recently died by suicide reaches out to other struggling teens to say emotions are hard and it's okay to need help managing them. The more honest you are about what you're going through, the more effective your treatment, therapy or other help can be. And if it's a friend who is struggling, tell someone. Depression lies. But it's our responsibility to tell the truth about what's going on. It could literally save a life.*UPDATE: In her son's memory, on what would have been his 21st birthday, Patty is asking listeners to perform a random act of kindness and to post about it on social media using the hashtags #mentalhealthmatters and #kujawastrong. Let's show each other that there is kindness and caring in the world.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/

Sep 14, 2021 • 23min
189- The One Thing That Made a Huge Difference
He had studied psychology, been previously treated for depressive episodes and done exhaustive online research trying to understand what was happening in his mind and body.The pieces did not come together until he heard other people with depression talking about their experiences of the illness. Then he realized the darkness was not his alone. Nor was it a personal failing or weakness.Depression is common and treatable, and talking openly about it brings light to our own, and others darkness. Please take 22 minutes to listen to John's story. And share it if you think someone else might benefit from his hard-earned understanding.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/

Sep 7, 2021 • 21min
188- When You Realize You've Had Depression Your Whole Life
He'd been treated on and off for the illness over the years. But he certainly didn't consider himself Someone With Depression. That, according to his background, would be a weakness and an unacceptable chink in his masculine armor. But during the pandemic, already reeling from the end of a relationship and sick/quarantining with Covid, John hit new lows. Concerned for his life, he began to review it, and realized he not only has depression, but he's had it for as long as he can remember.Links to ACEs test: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/media-coverage/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean/https://www.naadac.org/assets/2416/michael_bricker_acesassessment_ac16_ho.pdfhttps://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/

Aug 31, 2021 • 21min
187_Three Day Rule for Depression (Matt Zinman)
Are you able to notice the changes in your mood, energy, outlook, etc. that happen before or at the beginning of your depressive episodes? Do you consider those warning signs an opportunity to better manage your mental health?In the second part of our conversation with Matt Zinman, he tells us about a 3-Day Rule that really works for him. He also shares other mental-health management tools he's created and shares. (links below)https://mattzinman.com/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/

Aug 24, 2021 • 18min
186- Mental Health: A Family Affair (Matt Zinman)
This week's guest, Matt Zinman, has a unique and deep understanding of life with a mental-health challenge. He not only had his own depression, but was impacted by other members of his family who lived with their own. In the first of a 2-part interview, Matt shares about his mental-health journey. Next week, he'll share some fabulous tools and self-care techniques he's learned along the way.https://mattzinman.com/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/

Aug 17, 2021 • 16min
Treatment Trauma, Race and Mental Health
The factors that impact our mental health are varied, intertwined and sometimes difficult to distinguish. Other times they are clear as day. When living conditions are unhealthy or unsafe or when mental-healthcare is inadequate, unaffordable or inaccessible, the goal of recovery can seem unobtainable. In the third of a four-part series on the Intersectionality of Race, Trauma and Mental Health, we look at the role of treatment trauma. Our guest, Dr. Warren Braden says the best way to deal with a system that is not working (or is not designed to work for certain people) is to avoid it and to develop other avenues of self-care and recovery.Resources provided by Dr. Braden:https://borislhensonfoundation.org/This foundation was created by Taraji Henson the eradicate the stigma around mental health issues that affect the Black community.https://www.guilford.com/books/Black-Families-in-Therapy/Nancy-Boyd-Franklin/9781593853464/authorThis book by Dr. Franklin is an excellent resource for clients and therapists.The link for information about the crisis centers in Milwaukee:https://www.mhawisconsin.org/DirectorySearch/Details.aspx?pageid=160&mid=275&ListingId=1486https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline is the link to the national hotline for depressionAnd finally, anyone who is interested in communicating with Dr. Braden can email him at luminousclinicalservicesllc@gmail.com.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/

Aug 10, 2021 • 13min
Why I Had to Give Voice to Depression (remix)
This is my story. The story of why I started the Giving Voice to Depression podcast. I first told it four years ago when we started this resource because it didn't seem fair to ask others to share their stories unless my sister and I did, too.I am re-posting it now because, being sick for the past several weeks I've had a lot of time to think, and question my life and my work and myself. Not in a depressed way, thankfully . But in that fevered and can't sleep way. And frankly, I think I needed to be reminded of how far I've come (mentally) so that I can honestly and passionately continue to tell anyone listening that things really truly can get better. It might not be as soon or as easily as we'd like. But everything can change. And there are things we can do when we first see the warning signs to give ourselves a better fighting chance. I didn't know that four years ago. Thanks to all the people who've shared their stories with us, I know it now. And I believe it and see it work for myself and others. Thank you for having taken this journey with us. Thank you for listening and for sharing and for caring-- for yourselves and each other. We truly are stronger together.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/

Aug 3, 2021 • 17min
8 Ways He's Grateful for His Depression (But...)
We have yet to meet someone who says they are glad they have depression. But over and over we hear that some, as a way of making peace with their condition, credit it with teaching them valuable lessons. Our guest Tom, is one of them. He lists 8 reasons he's grateful for his depression... BUT...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/