Giving Voice to Depression

What does depression really feel like? For Sarah, it’s not just sadness—it’s a fast spiral into worthlessness, suicidal thoughts, and the struggle of finding her way back. In this powerful conversation, Sarah shares her “no BS” approach to talking about mental illness, how stigma makes asking for help harder than fixing a leaky faucet, and why naming depression out loud helps take away its power.She opens up about her support group, coping strategies, pug videos, and a life-threatening experience with hormonal birth control that triggered severe suicidal ideation. This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered what depression really feels like, and how people fight their way through it.Primary Topics Covered:What depression really feels like vs. sadness or disappointmentSarah’s “no BS” approach to talking about mental illnessStigma, shame, and why asking for help feels harder than it shouldThe role of humor and honesty in surviving depressionCoping tools: support groups, friends, exercise, and pug videosLearning to separate yourself from depression’s liesHormones, birth control, and their connection to mental healthThe mantra: “Depression can’t kill me unless I let it.”Timestamps:00:00 Intro & Fundraising Note00:33 Why Sharing Stories Matters02:14 Meet Sarah – Loud, Proud & Honest About Depression03:07 When Disappointment Turns Into Worthlessness03:50 Using Humor to Talk About Suicidal Thoughts04:47 Stigma, Patriarchy & Why We Hide Mental Illness05:40 The Shame Around Asking for Help06:36 Learning to Ride the Ups & Downs of Depression07:53 Talking Back to Depression’s Lies08:21 The Impact of Hormones on Mental Health09:43 Sarah’s Suicidal Crisis Linked to Birth Control10:43 Hormones, Menopause, Pregnancy & Depression11:15 Why Naming It Out Loud Helps HealExplore 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, Bridget and Terri explore an important and often confusing question: What’s the difference between feeling sad and living with depression? To answer it, they speak with three psychologists—Dr. Robert Duff, Dr. Margaret Rutherford, and Dr. Madhukar Trivedi—who explain how to distinguish temporary sadness from clinical depression.The conversation highlights how depression is more than a mood; it’s an illness that changes the brain, affects daily functioning, and often requires treatment. Listeners will learn about symptoms, genetic predispositions, and why it’s crucial to recognize depression as a real and treatable condition.Whether you’re seeking clarity for yourself or looking to better understand a loved one, this episode provides compassionate, science-backed insight into what sets depression apart from everyday sadness.Primary Topics Covered:The difference between sadness and clinical depressionHow depression impacts the brain and bodySigns and symptoms of major depressionWhy depression is not weakness but a real illnessThe role of genetics and predispositionImportance of treatment, support, and compassionTimestamps:00:00 Intro with Bridget and Terri 00:27 Framing the conversation: sadness vs depression 01:10 Why confusion between sadness and depression matters 01:37 Introducing expert Dr. Robert Duff 02:16 Dr. Duff explains the difference between sadness and clinical depression 03:03 Why depression is not about weakness or sensitivity 03:53 Depression as a parasite that feeds on itself 04:47 How depression plays tricks on the mind 05:12 Dr. Margaret Rutherford explains the difference between feeling down and depression 05:50 Depression as an illness that doesn’t lift 06:26 How depression shows up differently in people 07:03 Depression limits the brain’s ability to feel hope 07:27 Genetic predispositions to depression 07:54 Introducing Dr. Madhukar Trivedi 08:16 Dr. Trivedi on how sadness lifts but depression does not 09:18 Depression as a real brain disease 09:51 Nine common symptoms of depression (from WebMD) 10:50 When to seek help for depression 11:12 Closing reflectionsExplore 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 a top corporate leader opens up about depression? For Geoff McDonald, a former global vice president at Unilever, sharing his story became the catalyst for breaking stigma and inspiring change in workplaces around the world.In this powerful episode, Geoff discusses his own experience with anxiety and depression, the tragic loss of a friend to suicide, and why silence around mental illness is deadly. He also shares how a chance moment with then–Prime Minister David Cameron led him to the Royal Family’s Heads Together campaign, and how he now leads the Minds@Work Movement, helping companies prioritize mental health.Geoff’s story is a reminder that talking about depression doesn’t just save lives—it transforms cultures, families, and workplaces.Primary Topics Covered:Geoff’s personal experience with depression and panic attacksHow stigma prevented his friend from getting help—and led to suicideWhy talking about mental illness openly saves livesThe role of business leaders in breaking stigma at workHow Geoff influenced the UK’s Heads Together campaignCreating mentally healthy workplaces through the Minds@Work MovementPurpose, vulnerability, and the power of sharing storiesTimestamps:00:10 Introduction to depression and stigma 01:11 How Lady Gaga, Prince William, and Prince Harry opened conversations on mental health 02:17 Geoff’s chance meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron 03:27 Advising the Royal Family’s Heads Together campaign 03:47 Why conversations about depression matter in the workplace 04:47 Geoff’s personal struggle with depression and panic attacks 05:22 The stigma that cost a friend’s life to suicide 06:04 Why stigma kills—and how sharing saves lives 06:36 Depression touches everyone, including workplaces 06:50 Why employees still fear asking for help at work 07:17 Geoff’s journey from corporate VP to mental health advocate 08:05 The Minds@Work Movement and building healthy workplaces 08:56 Closing reflections and gratitudeExplore 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 makes grief after suicide different from other types of loss?In this powerful episode, suicide prevention advocate Mettie Spiess shares her lived experience of losing not one, but two brothers to suicide. She describes the unique grief that follows — the heavy mix of guilt, shame, and anger — and how she eventually found a path toward understanding and healing.Mettie’s story helps us better understand what survivors of suicide loss go through and why compassion, conversation, and rejecting stigma matter so deeply. Her courage to speak out reminds us that while suicide and depression lie, hope and healing are always possible.Primary Topics Covered:Mettie’s childhood experience with suicidal thoughtsLosing her first brother, Ronnie, to suicide at age nineDecades later, losing her second brother, Eddie, to suicideThe “unique grief” of suicide loss: shame, guilt, and angerWhy survivors often feel judged or blamed by their communitiesUnderstanding suicide not as a choice, but when pain exceeds coping resourcesThe lies depression tells and how they distort realityThe importance of language: why we should not say “commit suicide”Questions not to ask suicide loss survivors (“How did they do it?” “Was there a note?”)Finding relief, healing, and purpose through advocacy and supportTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction  01:05 – Mettie’s unique experience with mental illness and suicidal loss  01:41 – Suicidal thoughts as a child; losing her brother Ronnie  02:29 – Growing up in the aftermath of suicide loss  03:11 – Years later: the devastating loss of her second brother Eddie  03:57 – Rock bottom and cycling through depression and hypomania  04:51 – The three unique aspects of suicide grief: shame, guilt, anger  05:33 – Living in the “what-if prison” of survivor’s guilt  06:05 – Anger at both the loved one and the community’s judgment  06:45 – Suicide as pain exceeding coping resources  07:54 – Understanding the suicidal mind and finding relief in empathy  08:36 – Dispelling the myth that suicide is selfish  09:04 – The importance of respectful language around suicide  09:47 – Suicide loss: questions not to ask survivors  10:11 – Talking openly as the first step to healing  10:41 – Mettie’s work with HopeHeroesUnite.com  10:55 – Closing reflections on grief, stigma, and hope  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/

When 13-year-old Abby died by suicide, her family’s world shattered. Her father, Abe Goldberg, opens up about the painful reality of watching his daughter struggle with depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts—and the heartbreak of losing her far too soon.In this powerful conversation, Abe shares how subtle signs of depression in children can escalate quickly, how difficult it was to navigate hospitalizations and treatment, and the lifelong grief that follows the loss of a child to suicide.But Abe’s story is also one of resilience. Out of tragedy, he and his community created RedGen, an organization dedicated to promoting open conversations about mental health, redefining success, and protecting other children from the same devastating outcome.This episode is a candid look at grief, parenting, and hope—and a reminder that speaking openly about children’s mental health can save lives.Primary Topics Covered:The early warning signs of depression in childrenThe pain and confusion of navigating hospitalizations and mental health treatmentAbby’s story: a bright, athletic child lost to depression at 13The unique grief of parents surviving a child’s suicideGuilt, frustration, and unanswered questions after suicide lossHow Abe and his community created RedGen to promote youth mental healthWhy open conversations about children’s emotions and struggles matterTurning grief into advocacy to protect future generationsTimestamps:00:08 Introduction to Abe’s story 00:44 Defining what it means to be a suicide survivor 01:11 Meet Abby: a bright, typical middle-schooler 02:18 Early signs: eating concerns, self-harm, and depression diagnosis 03:29 First hospitalization and the pain of leaving a child in treatment 04:35 Navigating the mental health system as parents 04:56 Returning home and ongoing self-harm struggles 05:16 A second hospitalization and limited treatment options 05:43 July 7, 2013: Abby’s suicide at age 13 06:42 The grief and frustration of losing a child 07:19 Creating RedGen to promote youth mental health 08:45 Looking ahead to future episodes on suicide grief 09:19 Closing thanks and 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/

What does depression—and a suicide attempt—really feel like? Steve Austin knows firsthand. Raised in a conservative church, Steve hid decades of shame, trauma, and depression behind a “life of the party” persona. But on the eve of his son’s first birthday, despair and suicidal thoughts nearly took his life.In this deeply vulnerable conversation, Steve shares his survival story: from childhood abuse, hidden depression, and a near-fatal suicide attempt to five years of recovery, therapy, and rediscovering hope. He talks about the lies shame tells us, the importance of asking for help, and how vulnerability can become strength.If you’ve ever wondered what depression really feels like—or how someone survives suicidal thoughts—Steve’s story is a powerful reminder that hope begins in the dark.Primary Topics Covered:What depression and suicidal thoughts really feel likeChildhood trauma, hidden shame, and its lifelong impactThe night of Steve’s suicide attempt and what followedWhy suicide is not peaceful, and why language mattersAsking for help as an act of courage, not weaknessHow vulnerability and honesty break the shame spiralPractical tools for survival: therapy, medication, self-careWhy hope begins in the dark, even on the hardest daysTimestamps:00:00 Intro – Why sharing stories matters00:40 Addressing suicide language: “attempted” vs. “committed”01:40 Meet Steve – life of the party, but hiding trauma02:46 Childhood sexual abuse and its long shadow03:29 Struggles with hidden depression as a pastor and father04:36 “Sometimes we need more than Jesus” – the need for therapy & medication05:48 The night of his suicide attempt06:49 Waking up in the hospital – anger, shame, and slow recovery07:39 Why telling the truth and asking for help can save lives08:47 Hope in darkness – Anne Lamott’s words on survival09:19 Why asking for help is strength, not weakness09:52 Vulnerability, shame spirals, and survival one day at a time11:39 Suicide is not peaceful – important clarifications12:45 Steve’s ongoing work: writing, self-care challenge, advocacy13:15 Closing reflections – why telling our stories mattersExplore 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 kids learned coping skills as early as first grade? Inspired by a Giving Voice to Depression story, Nina, a first-grade teacher, launched a mental health initiative in her school that teaches children how to manage stress, name emotions, and practice mindfulness.From yoga in gym class to meditation, journaling, art, and personalized “coping toolboxes,” Nina’s program helps students discover what works best for them—tools they can carry into middle school, high school, and life.This Ripple Report highlights the power of sharing stories and the ripple effects that can change not just one life, but entire generations.Primary Topics Covered:Why mental health education in schools can’t wait until middle schoolTeaching children coping skills early: stress management, yoga, mindfulness, journaling, artHow personalized “coping toolboxes” help kids regulate emotionsReducing stigma by normalizing conversations about depression and traumaThe ripple effect: how one story can inspire action and long-term changeReal listener impact: parents finding words to talk about depression with their kidsWhy caregivers need self-care tooTimestamps00:12 Introduction to Ripple Reports 00:32 Why sharing stories creates ripple effects 01:09 Meet Nina, a teacher inspired to act 01:27 Launching a school-wide mental health initiative 02:06 Why waiting until middle school is too late 02:19 Teaching coping skills through gym, art, library, and guidance 02:56 Students create personalized “coping toolboxes” 03:33 How early exposure reduces stigma and builds resilience 04:03 Imagining the ripple effect: kids supporting each other 04:37 Other listener stories of impact (parents and caregivers) 05:55 The importance of self-care for caregivers 06:14 Closing and call for future Ripple ReportsExplore 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, Terry and Bridget conclude their three-part series on stigma by asking: how would life be different if stigma were reduced? Through heartfelt stories and reflections, guests share how reducing stigma could open doors to help, create more support systems, and inspire hope.The conversation emphasizes the simple yet powerful act of talking openly about mental illness—reminding listeners that stigma can be dismantled through honesty, listening, and compassion. Resources like This Is My Brave and Let’s Talk Belka are also highlighted as examples of communities leading the way.This episode serves as a call to action: to bring depression and mental illness out of the shadows and into conversations that promote healing, connection, and understanding.Primary Topics Covered:The transformative impact of reducing mental health stigmaHow stigma prevents people from seeking help and supportThe importance of visibility, representation, and shared storiesWhy community services and funding often follow shifts in public perceptionTalking and listening as essential tools for breaking stigmaReal-world examples of stigma-reducing initiativesTimestamps:00:00 Intro and episode context 00:40 Recap of stigma series: confirming stigma and its impacts 01:02 How life could change if stigma around depression was reduced 01:28 Stories from guests on the barriers stigma creates 02:07 The role of visibility and hope in recovery 02:45 How public perception drives community services and funding 02:55 The importance of educating young adults early 03:14 Starting honest conversations as a way to break stigma 03:55 Building understanding through dialogue 04:07 Bringing mental illness into the light 04:22 How hearing others’ stories inspires hope and connection 05:04 The importance of listening without judgment 06:00 Highlighting initiatives like Let’s Talk Belka and This Is My Brave 06:43 The responsibility to learn and reduce stigma 06:53 Gratitude to contributors of the stigma series 07:09 Listener invitation: share grounding practices and future episode ideas 07:35 Closing reflections and reminder of compassionExplore 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, Terry and Bridget continue their three-part series on stigma. This second installment explores the consequences of depression stigma, from delayed treatment to dangerous isolation. Through personal stories and expert insights, the conversation highlights why ending stigma is not just about compassion but about saving lives.Listeners will hear firsthand accounts of how stigma prevents people from seeking help, why secrecy breeds suffering, and how normalizing mental health conversations could change lives.Primary Topics Covered:The consequences and dangers of depression stigmaWhy secrecy and shame delay healingHow stigma prevents people from seeking professional helpPersonal stories of living with depression under stigmaThe importance of normalizing mental health conversationsTimestamps:00:00 Intro and context for the episode 00:40 Beginning the stigma series: why it matters 01:26 Consequences of stigma and untreated depression 02:05 Isolation and its dangers 02:54 Personal experiences with depression stigma 03:18 How stigma delays seeking help 04:11 Why fear of judgment stops people from reaching out 04:39 Stories of delayed treatment due to stigma 05:15 Shame and secrecy within families 05:57 The importance of normalizing mental health conversations 07:23 Reflections on personal stigma and speaking publicly 07:27 Looking ahead to part three of the stigma series 08:00 Closing thoughts and reminder to be kindExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to people getting the help they need for depression and other mental health conditions. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we explore how stigma shows up in everyday life, from workplaces to families, and how it prevents people from reaching out for support. Through candid personal stories and reflections, the conversation highlights both social stigma and self-stigma, while offering insights on how sharing stories can begin to break down barriers.This is part one of a series on stigma, with upcoming episodes diving even deeper into how stigma impacts individuals and communities—and how we can collectively change the conversation.Primary Topics Covered:The Surgeon General’s recognition of stigma as the biggest barrier to careReal experiences of stigma in workplaces, families, and communitiesThe connection between stigma, shame, and silenceSelf-stigma and its effect on depression symptomsWhy sharing stories helps reduce stigmaTimestamps:00:01:36 Stigma as the biggest barrier to mental health care 00:01:44 How stigma prevents people from seeking help 00:02:04 Interviews: confirming stigma is real 00:02:17 Experiences of discrimination and lack of respect 00:02:32 Stigma as silence around depression 00:02:49 Depression compared to more “acceptable” mental health conditions 00:03:04 Fear of disclosing depression at work 00:03:21 The many ways depression limits daily life 00:03:59 The danger of not being able to express struggles 00:04:33 Self-stigma and worsening of symptoms 00:04:59 Judgment as the first response instead of support 00:05:25 Stigma around depression during pregnancy 00:05:39 Intersection of stigma in LGBTQ+ and religious spaces 00:05:48 Why not talking about depression creates stigma 00:06:15 Presupposing negative reactions from others 00:06:27 Self-stigma defined 00:06:32 Family example: stigma within close relationships 00:06:55 Reducing stigma, one story at a time 00:07:07 Closing thoughts and compassion reminderExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/