Giving Voice to Depression

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, John shares his deeply personal journey of living with undiagnosed, lifelong depression—and how the pandemic brought him to his darkest place. Struggling with suicidal thoughts during quarantine, John finally sought help through therapy, medication, and connection with others.He describes the powerful shift that came from hearing people speak openly about depression—not as weakness, but as illness. By listening to the real stories of peers, John discovered self-acceptance, community, and the courage to share his own truth.John’s story is a moving reminder that depression thrives in silence but weakens when voices unite. If you’re struggling, you are not broken, you are not alone, and help is available.Primary Topics Covered:The impact of childhood trauma and self-esteem on lifelong depressionHow the pandemic triggered John’s darkest depressive episodeSuicidal ideation and the turning point that led him to seek helpThe difference between intellectual knowledge and emotional understanding of depressionWhy hearing peer stories is powerful for breaking stigma and finding hopeThe challenges—and relief—of telling friends and family about depressionDaily routines, therapy, and medication as tools for recoveryStrategies for interrupting negative thought loopsTimestamps:00:05 – Introduction to the episode and quotes on healing through words 01:29 – John’s background and lifelong struggle with depression 04:22 – The pandemic and John’s deepest depressive episode 05:32 – Suicidal ideation during quarantine and seeking medical help 07:00 – Discovering that depression is illness, not weakness 08:14 – Why hearing lived experiences is more powerful than clinical definitions 09:27 – John’s message to his past self and to listeners: you are not broken 11:26 – The struggle of reaching out—and the surprising relief of sharing with a friend 13:15 – Realizing many people carry the same secret about depression 15:34 – How life changed after treatment, therapy, and daily routines 17:29 – Self-worth, self-care, and the importance of consistency 18:16 – Strategies for interrupting negative thought loops and shifting state 21:16 – Closing reflections on the power of sharing storiesExplore 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 you finally put a name to the pain you’ve been carrying for years? For John, acknowledging that what he was experiencing was depression was the turning point in his journey from silence and stigma toward hope and healing.In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, John shares openly about growing up in a household marked by trauma and alcoholism, the heavy self-stigma men often face, and the years he spent trying to “tough it out.” Through therapy, medication, and finally naming his depression for what it was, John discovered that healing begins with self-compassion and connection.If you’ve ever wondered “What’s wrong with me?” or struggled to accept your mental health challenges as real, this episode offers reassurance that naming and owning your depression is not weakness—it’s the first step toward freedom.Links to ACEs test: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/media-coverage/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-meanhttps://www.naadac.org/assets/2416/michael_bricker_acesassessment_ac16_ho.pdfPrimary Topics Covered:How stigma and masculinity silence men’s depressionThe “pit of snakes” metaphor for self-critical thinkingGrowing up with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)The lasting impact of low self-esteem and verbal abuseRecognizing depression as a medical condition, not a weaknessHow COVID-19 and personal crises intensified depressionAccessing therapy, medication, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)Why naming depression opens the door to hope and recoveryThe role of compassion—for others and for ourselves—in healingTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction and listener story 02:45 - John’s first acknowledgment of depression 03:57 - Stigma, masculinity, and self-stigma in men 05:17 - Concealing depression and unhealthy coping 06:15 - The “pit of snakes” of negative self-talk 07:04 - Childhood trauma, ACEs, and low self-esteem 08:41 - How abuse shaped John’s depression 09:56 - The childhood memory of being asked, “What’s wrong with you?” 11:38 - Owning the name of depression and feeling hope again 13:00 - What recovery really looks like—ups and downs 14:50 - Therapy, antidepressants, and situational vs. chronic depression 16:14 - How COVID deepened John’s depression 16:50 - Using EAP and counseling for help 17:56 - The importance of grabbing a lifeline 18:28 - Revisiting ACEs and understanding adult struggles 20:06 - Closing reflections and takeawaysExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

When depression starts to pull you under, the hardest step is often realizing it’s happening. In this powerful conversation, guest Matt Zinman shares the practical strategies he’s used to manage depression and stop it from spiraling out of control.Matt introduces the 3-Day Rule, a simple framework for knowing when it’s time to act. He also discusses the role of mood scales, exercise, hydration, nutrition, coping skills menus, and self-kindness in building a sustainable foundation for mental health.Terry and Dr. Anita reflect on Matt’s story and highlight why early action is so important. This episode is full of practical tools—and hopeful reminders—that managing depression is possible with awareness and support.Link to Matt's website: https://mattzinman.com/Primary Topics Covered:How grief triggered Matt’s most severe depressionThe 3-Day Rule: why day three is criticalSetting boundaries with depressionUsing mood scales to track mental healthCoping skills for breaking a depression cycleThe power of endorphins and movementWhy “messy” coping strategies still helpBuilding resilience through earned confidenceMaking self-kindness a daily practiceTimestamps:00:00 – Opening reflections on depression recovery tools  01:34 – Matt Zinman’s story and motivation for sharing  03:06 – Depression, grief, and the turning point  05:02 – The 3-Day Rule explained: why day three matters most  06:07 – How physical activity supports mental health  06:59 – Joyful and messy coping skills: both can work  09:21 – Shifting state: small steps to break thought loops  10:27 – Earned confidence: building on past resilience  12:41 – Practicing daily self-kindness  14:42 – Terry and Bridget reflect on Matt’s challenge to self-kindness  17:22 – Discussion on coping skills that work for different people  19:16 – How to recognize depression early and act quickly  20:33 – Resources, links, and closing thoughts  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/

What happens when mental illness runs in a family? In this deeply moving conversation, Matt Zinman shares his lived experience of growing up with a bipolar father and a mother who survived a suicide attempt. Matt later faced his own battles with depression and suicidal ideation—experiences that shaped his understanding of both the pain and resilience that mental illness brings to families.This episode also explores the devastating loss of Matt’s brother to opioid misuse and depression, the complexities of medication struggles, and the importance of supportive networks. By telling his story, Matt helps break stigma and shows how honesty, anger, grief, and love can all coexist in mental health recovery.If you or a loved one are living with depression, bipolar disorder, or family trauma, this conversation offers validation, tools, and hope.Matt Zinman's website: https://mattzinman.com/Primary Topics Covered:The role of genetics and environment in depression and bipolar disorderGrowing up in a family deeply impacted by mental illnessChildhood confusion and anger around a parent’s suicide attemptProcessing grief and mixed emotions after losing a sibling to suicide and addictionThe dangers of medication side effects, including suicidal ideationHospitalization, inpatient vs. outpatient treatment, and gaps in careHow stigma and silence compound family traumaBuilding a support system of people who “lift you up”The coexistence of love, grief, and anger in mental health strugglesPractical takeaways for coping with depression in familiesTimestamps:00:00 - Intro 01:09 - Genetics, family history, and risk of depression 02:11 - Matt’s childhood with a bipolar father and depressed mother 03:34 - Growing up around silence and stigma about mental health 04:07 - Mother’s suicide attempt and early confusion as a child 06:13 - First experiences of depression in adolescence 07:15 - Losing his brother to depression and opioid misuse 08:31 - Mixed emotions: anger and grief after suicide loss 10:15 - Rebuilding connection with his mother after her attempt 11:05 - Hospitalization for depression and medication struggles 12:22 - Gaps in the mental health care system 13:13 - The importance of support systems and people who lift you up 14:38 - Acknowledging complexity: anger, love, and forgiveness 16:55 - Closing thoughts and preview of Part TwoExplore 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 mental health care—meant to heal—actually causes harm? That harm has a name: treatment trauma.In this episode, Dr. Warren Braden, a licensed marriage and family therapist in training, unpacks how racism, stigma, and systemic inequities shape the mental health experiences of Black and Brown communities. He explains why cultural silence often discourages seeking help, how representation gaps in therapy create mistrust, and why traditional models of care often ignore the realities of trauma and discrimination.Dr. Braden also discusses hopeful changes: younger generations are speaking more openly about depression, athletes and public figures are breaking stigma, and more therapists are being trained in culturally competent care.This conversation is both challenging and hopeful—reminding us that mental health cannot be separated from culture, environment, and justice.Primary Topics Covered:What “treatment trauma” means in mental health careHow stigma in Black and Brown communities prevents people from seeking helpWhy many therapists fail to consider racial and cultural contextThe dangers of ignoring trauma in treatmentThe role of law enforcement in mental health crisesCrisis intervention teams as a step toward safetyThe importance of representation in therapy and recoveryGenerational shifts in openness about depression and careMoving toward culturally competent and community-centered supportTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction to treatment trauma and racism in mental health 02:07 – Defining treatment trauma and why it matters 03:08 – Stigma in Black and Brown communities around depression 04:02 – Younger generations breaking silence about mental health 05:14 – Why many therapists lack cultural awareness in treatment 06:01 – Example of a teen facing trauma, bullying, and depression 07:18 – The importance of representation in therapy and care 08:38 – Normalized depression and untreated pain in communities 10:16 – The risks of police involvement in mental health crises 11:08 – Crisis intervention teams and safer responses 12:02 – Athletes and public figures breaking stigma 12:49 – Depression as a public health issue, not a private failure 13:09 – Tools for resilience, healing, and support 14:48 – Finding the right therapist despite systemic barriers 15:31 – Closing reflections and resourcesExplore 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 really feel like to live with depression — and how do you fight back against its lies?In this deeply personal episode, Terri, co-host of Giving Voice to Depression, shares her own battle with mornings, dark thoughts, and the exhaustion of living with depression in silence. She opens up about the moment she realized her thinking had turned dangerously unhealthy, the decision to return to medication, and how that choice saved her life.Her journey from despair to founding this podcast is a testament that recovery is possible. If you’ve ever wondered how to deal with depression or doubted your worth because of it, Terri’s story is a powerful reminder: depression lies, and you are not alone.Primary Topics Covered:Terry’s struggle with depression’s toxic “morning mantra”What depression really feels like day after dayRecognizing unhealthy thinking and a near crisis pointChoosing to seek medical help and return to antidepressantsHow medication and therapy can be lifesaving toolsFounding Giving Voice to Depression as an act of recoveryWhy sharing stories reduces stigma and isolationThe truth: depression is an illness, not a personal failingBuilding resilience through community and hopeTimestamps:00:00 Terry explains pausing new episodes to prioritize rest 01:14 Revisiting one of the podcast’s very first episodes 02:03 Terry introduces her personal story of living with depression 03:11 Depression’s toxic “morning mantra” and daily struggles 05:10 How depression convinces us we’re not enough 07:03 Terry’s near crisis moment with physical health and dark thoughts 09:15 Calling her doctor and choosing to return to antidepressants 10:34 Founding Giving Voice to Depression as a way to make meaning 12:00 Why sharing stories breaks stigma and builds connection 13:35 The importance of medication and self-care in recovery 15:04 The truth about depression: it lies — you have worth 16:22 Bridget and Terry reflect on the courage of telling our stories 18:05 Closing message: speak up, listen up, you are not aloneExplore 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 if depression, as soul-crushing as it can be, also offered unexpected lessons that shape who we become?In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Tom Wavre shares eight lessons he’s learned from his own battle with depression. From confronting stigma and discovering inner strength, to learning empathy and helping others, Tom reframes depression not just as an illness, but as an experience that can bring unexpected growth and perspective.Listeners will walk away with validation, hope, and practical insights into how depression can change—not define—us.Primary Topics Covered:How depression leads to deeper self-awarenessThe real source of stigma and how to challenge itWhy opening up can be a turning point in recoveryDiscovering unexpected inner strength in daily survivalThe power of empathy and helping othersRecognizing you are not alone in the struggleReframing depression as part of your story, not your identityTimestamps:00:40 – Introducing the conversation on lessons from depression 01:30 – Tom Wavre and his article Eight Ways I’m Grateful for My Depression 02:48 – Accepting depression and going on the journey with it 03:17 – Lesson 1: Knowing yourself better through self-awareness 04:00 – Lesson 2: Understanding the true nature of stigma 05:27 – Lesson 3: The power of opening up about depression 06:39 – Lesson 4: Discovering inner strength you didn’t know you had 08:13 – The mountain-climbing metaphor for living with depression 08:20 – Lesson 5: Realizing you’re not alone in your struggles 09:18 – Lesson 6: Building empathy through depression 09:36 – Lesson 7: Helping others and the reward of giving back 10:34 – Lesson 8: Becoming a person you never thought you could be 12:17 – Moving from survival to progress in recovery 13:07 – Depression as just one part of your story 14:29 – Tools and resources for tracking mental health progress 15:05 – Closing reflections and invitation to share your lessonsExplore 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 powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Jennifer returns to share her deeply personal journey of living with major depression for nearly three decades. From countless hospitalizations and medications to breakthrough treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Jennifer’s story illustrates both the painful persistence of depression and the importance of holding on to hope.She describes what it felt like to finally wake up one morning without depression after years of relentless suffering, why support from loved ones matters, and how she learned to ask for what she needs.This conversation is both realistic and inspiring—reminding listeners that while treatment journeys can be long and difficult, recovery is possible, and hope is always worth fighting for.Link to ECT article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/electroconvulsive-therapy/about/pac-20393894Link to TMS article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625Primary Topics Covered:Jennifer’s decades-long journey with depressionExperiences with psychiatric hospitalizations and failed medicationsHow TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) provided temporary reliefHow ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) led to a dramatic transformationThe importance of supportive relationships in managing depressionLearning to ask for what you need when strugglingHolding on to hope—even when progress feels impossibleTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction to the episode and quotes about hope 02:21 – Jennifer re-introduced: her history with depression and hospitalizations 03:30 – Trying TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) and initial results 04:49 – Moving on to ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) 05:13 – A life-changing morning: waking up without depression 07:20 – Living “without depression”: what normalcy feels like 08:38 – Jennifer’s decades-long mental health journey since age 12 09:38 – Medication frustrations and trials with nearly every antidepressant 10:09 – The role of sleep, food, and self-care in stabilizing mood 11:01 – The power of a supportive husband and family 12:56 – Learning to ask for help and what support looks like 15:22 – Why being listened to (without judgment) makes a difference 16:03 – Lessons Jennifer would share with others living long-term with depression 17:13 – Clinging to small moments of hope and joy 19:09 – How little distractions (like TV or hobbies) can help shift depression 20:24 – Jennifer’s message: keep hope alive, even when it feels impossible 21:34 – Closing thoughts and resources on TMS and ECTExplore 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 episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Jennifer shares her decades-long journey with severe depression, including the struggle to find effective medications, her coping tools for surviving dark times, and the importance of support and connection.Jennifer describes how depression robs her of joyful experiences, yet she continues searching for treatments—from antidepressants to TMS and ECT—that provide relief. She also shares how knitting, pacing, and making small daily connections have helped her resist depression’s pull and even support high school students facing their own challenges.This powerful conversation highlights the realities of living with depression, the resilience required to keep fighting, and the hope that emerges when we share our stories. Primary Topics Covered:Jennifer’s early experiences and diagnosis of severe depressionThe long journey of trying different medications and treatmentsHow depression robs people of joy and meaningful life experiencesCoping strategies: pacing, knitting, and grounding toolsThe role of support from loved ones and partnersUsing lived experience to connect with and support othersJennifer’s update on trying TMS and ECT for treatmentThe importance of small daily connections in fighting stigma and building hopeTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Giving Voice to Depression 01:28 – Why Jennifer decided to share her story 03:34 – Loneliness, medical leave, and finding comfort in voices 04:21 – First experiences of depression and early diagnosis 05:23 – Long and frustrating journey with medications 06:34 – Living with trial and error in depression treatment 07:32 – Strength in surviving when tomorrow feels unbearable 07:53 – How depression feels like being controlled by an outside force 08:59 – What depression has taken away: joy and experiences 09:54 – The role of her supportive partner 10:20 – Why being alone can give depression more power 11:08 – Coping strategies: knitting, pacing, and distraction 12:09 – Using lived experience to connect with students 13:24 – How she stopped self-harming and advice for others 13:51 – The importance of small connections in reducing stigma 15:05 – Reflection on what depression robs us of 16:25 – Jennifer’s update on TMS and ECT treatments 17:17 – The resilience required to keep searching for hope 18:31 – Closing thoughts and invitation to continue the conversationExplore 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 Season 17 of Giving Voice to Depression, we shared powerful conversations exploring depression, burnout, family and generational trauma, and real-world strategies for both seeking and offering support. From deeply personal stories to practical tools provided by trusted mental health advocates and psychiatrists, this season highlighted the many ways we can better understand, live with, and respond to depression.Whether you’re looking for insight on antidepressants, ways to ask for help when you’re struggling, or guidance on how to support a loved one, Season 17 delivered honest, hopeful, and stigma-busting perspectives.Primary Topics CoveredMusic as a tool for coping with depressionTeaching children about mental health earlyWhat to expect when seeing a psychiatristGenerational and family trauma in Black and Indigenous communitiesBurnout vs. depression: how to tell the differencePractical, specific strategies for asking for and offering helpNavigating the mental health system with compassion and persistenceTimestamps00:05 – Introduction to Season 17 01:02 – Music and coping with depression (Demetra Prohoska’s story) 02:45 – Teaching children mental health awareness 04:31 – Antidepressants and psychiatry with Dr. Jessi Gold 05:52 – Generational trauma and Indigenous communities 07:20 – Family trauma, race, and mental health 09:40 – Depression vs. burnout explained 11:48 – Asking for help when it’s not intuitive (Sam Dylan Finch) 13:15 – How to ask for the help you need – Part 2 16:32 – How to support someone who’s struggling – Part 1 18:14 – How to support someone who’s struggling – Part 2 20:10 – Closing reflections on Season 17 and reminders of hopeExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/