Giving Voice to Depression

In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Jeannine Rivers shares her powerful journey of living with depression since childhood, battling toxic voices, and finding strength through faith, self-love, and music.In this candid conversation, Jeannine reflects on growing up in a restrictive religious environment, enduring verbal abuse, and discovering her gift of music. She opens up about how affirmations, prayer, and courage helped her quiet the toxic voices of self-doubt and begin to heal.If you’ve ever wondered how to recover from depression or how to support a loved one, Jeannine’s story offers both honesty and hope: depression is not the end of the story, and healing is always possible.Link to Jeannine's website: http://jeanninerivers.com/Primary Topics Covered:Why Jeannine chose to share her story now, with courage and honestyGrowing up with depression and the impact of childhood traumaHow restrictive religious rules deepened her feelings of isolationVerbal abuse, racism, and the painful impact of toxic voicesThe role of music and performance as a source of joy and identityUsing affirmations, prayer, and meditation to fight negative self-talkBuilding resilience and finding hope after depression and suicidal thoughtsSuicide Prevention Awareness Month: why small acts of kindness matterTimestamps:00:00 Intro and World Suicide Prevention Day 01:27 Why survivor stories matter: regret and the will to live 02:13 Introduction to Jeannine Rivers 03:05 Why she chose to speak out now with courage 04:15 Growing up with depression and toxic voices 05:35 Childhood dreams of music and performance 06:20 Impact of Jehovah’s Witness restrictions on her identity 07:23 Racism, verbal abuse, and painful self-doubt 08:52 How prayer, meditation, and affirmations became coping tools 09:51 Fighting back against toxic self-talk with self-love 11:12 Reminders that affirmations are not “quick fixes” but part of healing 11:46 Jeannine sings “Summertime” and shares its personal meaning 14:12 Finding joy and resilience despite layers of pain 14:25 National Suicide Prevention Day kindness challenge 15:35 Closing reflections on gratitude, courage, and recoveryExplore 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, Stacey shares her story of living with chronic pain and major depressive disorder—a difficult combination that millions face every day. She opens up about how years of fibromyalgia, depression, and exhaustion left her struggling to keep going, until therapy helped her reframe her life with mindfulness, acceptance, and self-compassion.We explore how chronic pain and depression create a vicious cycle, why seeking the right therapist can make all the difference, and what it means to rebuild your life when you can’t return to who you once were. Stacey reminds us that resilience isn’t about “fixing everything,” but about finding new ways to live with honesty, courage, and kindness toward ourselves.If you or someone you love lives with depression and chronic pain, this conversation offers both practical insights and emotional support.Primary Topics Covered:The connection between chronic pain and depressionHow fibromyalgia impacts mood, energy, and daily lifeWhy therapy is essential when medication alone isn’t enoughThe role of mindfulness and acceptance in healingLearning to be kinder to yourself through self-talkHow stigma and “pushing through” worsen mental healthThe importance of building a supportive care teamWhy teaching others how to treat you is part of recoveryTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction and opening reflections on resilience 01:41 – Meet Stacey: A story of chronic pain and depression 02:31 – The overlap of pain and depression explained 03:38 – Stacey’s life before illness and how everything changed 05:27 – Living with fibromyalgia, depression, and seasonal struggles 07:03 – When pain and depression feed into each other 07:35 – Finding a therapist after years of failed attempts 08:47 – Learning mindfulness to interrupt negative thought cycles 09:42 – The role of acceptance in living with chronic pain 10:21 – How fighting reality can make symptoms worse 11:09 – Advice for others living with chronic pain and depression 12:32 – Learning self-compassion and teaching others how to treat you 13:12 – Closing reflections and reminder of Suicide Prevention MonthExplore 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 Oregon high school students successfully fought for the right to take mental health days just like sick days, it sent a powerful message: depression and anxiety deserve to be taken seriously in schools.In this episode, Derek, one of the teens behind the new law, shares how burnout, anxiety, and depression motivated his advocacy. Then, Carly — a social worker and former student who used mental health days — explains why giving young people permission to rest, recharge, and care for themselves is a crucial step in reducing stigma.If you’ve ever wondered how mental health days help students with depression and anxiety, this conversation sheds light on the difference one day of rest can make — and why laws like this could save lives.Primary Topics Covered:Oregon teens pass first-in-the-nation law for excused mental health daysWhy many students already took mental health days — but had to lie about itThe connection between student burnout, depression, and school absencesOregon’s suicide rate and why prevention requires proactive policiesCarly’s story: taking mental health days as a student and now working as a school social workerWhy stigma keeps students silent about anxiety and depressionHow mental health days can reduce shame and encourage self-careThe bigger vision: nationwide adoption and built-in early detection systemsTimestamps:00:00 Welcome and intro 01:21 Oregon teens fight for mental health days law 01:57 Derek’s story: living with anxiety and depression in high school 02:31 Testifying before lawmakers and passing the bill 02:52 Pushback: stigma and skepticism about “Ferris Bueller days off” 03:22 Oregon’s high absenteeism and suicide rate context 03:38 Derek’s personal experience with mental health days 04:05 Why proactive policies matter for suicide prevention 04:42 How students use mental health days to rest and recharge 05:33 Why lying about “stomach aches” perpetuates stigma 06:10 Mental health days as equal to physical sick days 07:06 Terry’s parenting story: offering mental health days at home 07:41 Carly’s reflection: what mental health days felt like as a teen 08:41 How anxiety manifests as emptiness and exhaustion 09:32 The role of rest, sleep, and recovery 09:49 Carly’s unique perspective as a social worker in schools 10:12 Why students need permission to prioritize mental health 11:06 Equity concerns: differences across class and family situations 12:20 How excused mental health days can improve outcomes 13:13 Life skill: learning to pause and recalibrate 14:10 Nationwide advocacy and next steps for student mental health laws 14:59 Closing thanks to Derek and Carly 15:15 Outro: reminder to speak up and listen upExplore 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 someone you love is struggling with depression, it’s natural to want to help—but knowing how to help can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Elliot vulnerably shares the questions he wishes he’d asked years earlier while navigating his partner’s depression.With insights from clinical social worker Mike Stens, we explore:Early warning signs of depression in a loved oneThe difference between supporting and trying to “fix” your partnerWhat to say (and what not to say) when your partner is strugglingWhy couples therapy and family involvement matterThe impact of medication side effects and what families should knowThe long-term outlook for relationships when depression is involvedHopeful reminders that depression is treatable and recovery is possibleThis episode is for spouses, partners, and anyone trying to understand how to love and support someone living with depression.Primary Topics Covered:Misconceptions partners often have about depressionRecognizing early signs of depression in a spouseCommon mistakes people make when trying to “fix” depressionThe importance of empathy and presence over solutionsCouples therapy and family support in recoveryAddressing concerns about medication side effectsLong-term relationship challenges and hope for stabilityHow conversations and small actions can strengthen connectionTimestamps:00:00 - Intro and framing the episode 01:27 - Why partners’ questions about depression matter 02:19 - Elliot shares his story and questions 03:25 - Early signs of depression in a partner 04:55 - Why you can’t “fix” depression for someone else 05:59 - How to support instead of blaming yourself 07:06 - Shifting from fixing to helping 07:24 - The role of conversations and shared activities 08:37 - When (and how) to talk about depression 09:20 - Concerns about medication and family safety 10:26 - Why couples should meet with doctors together 11:03 - Long-term relationship concerns and realities 12:41 - Black-and-white thinking about the future 13:46 - What couples need to know about recovery and hope 14:43 - Why not knowing what to do is normal 15:36 - 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/

In this episode, Duff the Psych and Terry explore how constant exposure to negative news stories affects our mental and emotional health. They discuss the balance between staying informed and protecting your well-being, the different ways news can impact people with heightened empathy or existing mental health conditions, and strategies to set healthy boundaries around media consumption. Listeners will gain insight into why tragic images linger in our minds, how children process frightening news, and practical ways to reduce feelings of helplessness by turning emotions into action.Link to article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/violent-media-anxiety_n_6671732Link to research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4803729/Link to Duff the Psych's website: https://www.duffthepsych.com/Primary Topics Covered:The psychological impact of starting or ending your day with negative newsDifferences in how reading, hearing, and viewing disturbing news content affects usWhy people with depression and anxiety may feel more empathetic and overwhelmedThe long-term effects of traumatic news exposure on childrenHow to set boundaries with media while still staying informedStrategies for turning fear and helplessness into positive, constructive actionTimestamps:00:00 Intro 02:24 How negative news affects your mood and daily outlook 03:18 News exposure before bedtime and its impact on sleep 04:24 The difference between reading, hearing, and seeing tragic news 05:18 Why people with depression may feel news more deeply 06:26 The psychological impact of viewing negative images 07:06 How anxiety and emotional reasoning distort perception of threat 07:56 Balancing caution with living life fully despite risks 08:11 The effects of traumatic news exposure on children 09:06 How to talk with kids about frightening news events 09:32 Rising anxiety and hyper-vigilance in everyday situations 10:37 Why today’s world requires a new understanding of anxiety 10:47 Channeling feelings of helplessness into positive actions 13:56 Closing thoughtsExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Grief and depression can look remarkably similar — sadness, fatigue, loss of motivation, changes in sleep — but they are not the same. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Jennifer Bartolotta shares her deeply personal story of losing her husband, renowned restaurateur Joe Bartolotta, and how she learned to distinguish between normal grief and clinical depression.Jennifer discusses how her husband once recognized signs of depression in her, how she built daily spiritual and mental health practices to sustain herself, and why asking for help is not a weakness but an act of courage.Listeners will learn how to recognize the warning signs that grief may be developing into depression, why having honest friends and a strong support network matters, and what tools can help us through both grief and depression.This conversation offers comfort, validation, and practical strategies for anyone navigating loss while also tending to their mental health.Link to Psychology Today article on Grief vs. Depression: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-new-grief/201203/when-does-grief-become-depressionPrimary Topics Covered:The difference between grief and depressionJennifer’s personal story of loss and resilienceHow depression first showed up in her life and how her husband recognized itThe role of daily practices in supporting mental healthWhy asking for help and building a support network is essentialThe gift of honest friends during hard timesProfessional guidance on coping with grief and preventing relapse into depressionTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction and podcast overview 00:59 – How grief and depression overlap but differ 01:38 – Jennifer Bartolotta shares her sudden loss 02:43 – Jennifer’s background and confidence growing up 03:45 – Struggles with authenticity and early signs of depression 04:25 – The moment her husband recognized she needed help 05:55 – Beginning therapy and learning to manage depression 06:39 – Jennifer’s daily spiritual and mental health practices 07:20 – Practicing kindness: making someone smile each day 08:00 – Living through grief after her husband’s death 08:54 – Distinguishing grief from depression with expert insights 10:00 – Holding onto hope and perspective during grief 11:28 – Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness 12:30 – The importance of honest friends who notice changes 13:19 – How noticing “something is off” can start healing 14:01 – Psychology Today tips on navigating grief 15:33 – Closing reflections and next week’s previewExplore 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 powerful journey living with treatment-resistant depression—an illness that has followed her since childhood. Despite trying nearly every class of antidepressants, she continues to fight for relief while also offering support to students in her role at a high school counselor’s office.Jennifer speaks candidly about the impact of depression on her life, including self-harm, medical leave, and the daily resilience it takes to keep moving forward. She also discusses the importance of finding healthy coping mechanisms, why connection matters more than isolation, and how sharing her lived experience has helped young people feel less alone.This episode is a reminder that while depression steals moments of joy and opportunity, there is always strength in survival, and hope in connection.Primary Topics Covered:What treatment-resistant depression feels likeChallenges and frustrations of trying multiple medicationsCoping strategies: pacing, knitting, distraction techniquesThe role of supportive partners and communitySelf-harm, scars, and the symbolism of the semicolon tattooHow sharing lived experiences helps othersWhy connection combats isolationFinding small ways to make a difference dailyTimestamps (Single Code Format):00:00 – Introduction to the episode 01:00 – Jennifer shares her first experiences with depression 04:00 – Loneliness, diagnosis, and early struggles in school 06:00 – Trying nearly every class of antidepressant 07:30 – The frustration of medications losing effectiveness 09:00 – How depression robs life experiences and joy 10:45 – The importance of a supportive partner 11:30 – Why isolation gives depression more power 12:20 – Coping tools: knitting, pacing, and distraction 14:00 – Self-harm, scars, and the semicolon tattoo 15:00 – Using lived experience to support students 16:30 – Fighting stigma by sharing personal stories 17:45 – Closing reflections and 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/

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, John shares what it’s like to live with untreated depression for decades, held back by stigma, fear of judgment, and the belief that asking for help was a sign of weakness.He describes depression as “an attack in your own voice”—a relentless inner monologue that erases self-worth and fuels despair. His story illustrates how stigma not only delays treatment but also drives harmful coping mechanisms like alcohol use.Now, after finally seeking support in midlife, John reflects on what recovery looks like, why connection is vital, and how hearing other people’s mental health stories inspired him to speak out.This intimate conversation is for anyone who has ever felt silenced by stigma or struggled to explain what depression really feels like.Link to Jon's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxlVwfFkjH7dE-uz3_Q5WmQ/featuredLink to Jon's website: https://cleaningwarrior.com/Primary Topics Covered:The impact of stigma on seeking depression treatmentFirst experiences with depression as a teenagerHow self-medication with alcohol worsened symptomsStruggles and confusion with antidepressant useWhat depression “feels like” in real lived experienceThe metaphor of “an attack in your own voice”The importance of hearing and sharing personal storiesFinding hope and reassurance that dark times don’t last foreverTimestamps:00:00 – Partnership announcement with Mental Health America Wisconsin 01:10 – Introducing John and why he chose to share his story 01:52 – First experience with depression as a teenager 03:06 – Living decades without professional treatment 03:44 – Turning to alcohol as self-medication 04:20 – Why stigma made seeking help feel like failure 05:05 – Starting antidepressants after many years 06:22 – The uncertainty of long-term medication use 06:56 – John describes depression as “an attack in my own voice” 08:27 – The relentless, self-erasing inner dialogue of depression 09:32 – Metaphor of a “spreadsheet of self-worth” 10:42 – Why hearing others’ stories made John feel less alone 11:39 – A message of hope for listeners in the darkest moments 12:33 – Reflection on stigma, recovery, and speaking out 13:22 – John’s YouTube channel “Cleaning Warrior” and resources 13:41 – Closing gratitude and continued mission of the podcastExplore 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 mean to survive bipolar depression—and even find hope in it?In this moving episode of Giving Voice to Depression, poet and mental health advocate Kristen Roedl shares her lived experience with bipolar II disorder and recurring severe depression. She describes how depression has taken her to the edge of survival, yet also pushed her toward creativity, empathy, and resilience.Through poetry, journaling, and speaking openly about her hospitalizations and struggles, Kristen has found ways to process her pain and remind herself—and others—that depression lies.Her story is a powerful reminder that while bipolar depression can feel unrelenting, recovery is possible with the right mix of treatment, community support, and self-compassion.To learn more about Kristin and her poetry: KristinRoedell.wikidot.comPrimary Topics Covered:Kristen’s lived experience with bipolar II disorder and severe depressionWhat it feels like to be hospitalized for suicidal thoughtsWhy she calls depression both destructive and a “terrible gift”How poetry and journaling became healing toolsRecognizing depression as time-limited, not permanentLearning to separate self-worth from productivityThe role of medication, therapy, and partner support in recoveryTalking back to depression with affirmations of worthFinding resilience through self-compassion and acceptanceSharing poetry as a way to connect and inspire hopeTimestamps00:00 Introduction and episode framing 01:12 Rethinking what “gift” means in the context of depression 02:25 Introducing Kristen’s story and lived experience 03:49 Preparing mentally and emotionally for the interview 05:02 Realizing that worth is not tied to productivity 06:19 Depression’s weight and the challenge of survival 07:30 Coping with panic attacks and daily overwhelm 08:22 Giving depression space without letting it define you 09:15 Kristen describes living with bipolar II disorder 10:24 Hospitalization experiences during severe depression 12:40 Using poetry to process emotions and fight back against depression’s lies 13:58 Reading her poem “I Swallowed Hope That Winter” 15:20 Why she calls depression a “terrible gift” 16:41 Using affirmations and journaling to counter depression’s voice 18:10 Art and creativity as acts of resilience and healing 19:55 Key takeaways: self-compassion, rest, and hope 21:15 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/

In this powerful episode, Philip Roundtree, a therapist, powerlifter, and mental health advocate, shares what it’s really like to live with depression as a Black man. From confronting daily suicidal thoughts to challenging stigma in the Black community, Philip’s story shines a light on survival, faith, therapy, and the importance of support systems.If you’ve ever wondered how to help someone with depression or how cultural stigma shapes mental health, this conversation offers both insight and hope.Link to Philip Roundtree's website: http://quadefyllc.net/Primary Topics Covered:The stigma of depression and mental illness in the Black communityThe role of faith, survival, and historical traumaPhilip’s personal battle with depression and suicidal thoughtsWhy representation in mental health conversations mattersCoping vs. true healing: why therapy is essentialThe power of medication, therapy, and supportive networksBreaking silence: why saying “this is what depression looks like” is revolutionaryEncouragement for anyone supporting loved ones with depressionTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to the episode 01:26 Understanding depression and cultural differences 02:11 Meeting Philip Roundtree: advocate, therapist, and survivor 02:37 “This is what depression looks like” – challenging stereotypes 04:15 The stigma of mental illness in the Black community 05:12 Historical trauma, faith, and survival as barriers to healing 07:08 Philip’s struggle with suicidal thoughts and daily battles 08:29 The importance of support systems and crisis resources 09:41 How medication shifted Philip’s mental health journey 10:20 Why therapy is essential for true healing, not just coping 11:15 Closing reflections: strength includes mental healthExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/