Giving Voice to Depression

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Jose, a 27-year-old Pittsburgh actor and teacher, opens up about his journey through major depression, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm. Raised in a culture of silence, Jose initially feared losing his parents’ respect if he revealed his struggles. But what followed was a surprising discovery—his mother had also been living with depression for much of her life. Together, they began to break the cycle of secrecy and stigma, highlighting the healing power of honesty within families.This conversation explores the destructive weight of stigma, the courage it takes to speak openly about mental illness, and the transformative clarity that can come from surviving even the darkest nights.Primary Topics CoveredThe heavy stigma surrounding depression and therapyJose’s journey with major depressive disorder, suicidal thoughts, and hospitalizationsThe fear of losing respect when sharing struggles with familyHis mother’s hidden history with depressionHow openness and honesty can break generational cycles of silenceFinding meaning, empathy, and resilience through lived experienceTimestamps00:00 Intro to Giving Voice to Depression 00:31 Meet Jose: His background and struggle with depression 01:49 The stigma that kept him from seeking help 02:43 Facing the fear of telling his parents 03:18 Jose opens up to his family about depression 03:52 His mother reveals her own history with depression 04:15 The impact of honesty and shared experience 05:17 Respect, love, and breaking silence within families 06:08 How surviving suicidal nights shifted Jose’s perspective 07:28 Redefining depression as part of the human condition 07:53 Final reflections on patience, love, and acceptance 08:19 Hosts reflect on stigma, family history, and the importance of sharing 09:31 Closing message: Be kind, everyone is fighting battles unseenExplore 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, we rebroadcast a moving conversation with Adele, who opens up about supporting her husband and daughter—both living with mental health challenges. Adele’s honest account reveals the physical and emotional toll of empathy exhaustion and compassion fatigue. She discusses what it's like to live in a constant state of vigilance, the challenge of “reinventing the wheel” during each new crisis, and the importance of sharing mental health stories to reduce stigma. This conversation is a powerful reminder of how caregivers, too, need support and space for healing.Primary Topics Covered: Supporting a partner and child with mental illness Empathy fatigue and compassion burnout Navigating mental health crises repeatedly The isolating impact of stigma Why mental health education in schools is critical The value of community and shared experienceTimestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:36 Global Depression Statistics 01:04 Depression Affects More Than the Individual 01:50 Empathy and Compassion Fatigue Explained 02:07 Living With Someone Who Has Depression 03:03 Parenting a Depressed Child 03:21 Adele Shares Her Experience 03:57 Adele Describes Her Life as Plate-Spinning 04:55 Supporting a Spouse and Child With Mental Illness 05:51 Struggling to “Fix” Loved Ones 06:14 The Emotional Cost of Stigma 07:02 Sharing Stories to Reduce Isolation 07:39 Mental Health Education in Schools 08:26 Barriers to Accessing School Support 08:51 Adele’s Private Coping Routines 09:38 Supporting the Supporters 10:49 Reducing Isolation Through Shared Resources 11:42 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/

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, co-host Bridget shares her personal and deeply emotional story about the psychological crash she experienced after restarting antidepressants. Despite years of managing depression through alternative methods, Bridget opens up about a dark period that nearly consumed her — and how one crucial oversight almost cost her everything. This episode is a cautionary tale and an urgent call for better communication between patients, their support systems, and prescribing professionals.Primary Topics Covered:What depression really feels like, beyond symptoms listsThe invisible shift when starting or restarting antidepressantsHow a lack of follow-up and support can create dangerous blind spotsThe importance of communicating with loved ones about medication changesWhy depression treatment is a long, evolving process — and why hope mattersTimestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:08 Bridget and Terri open the episode 00:24 Why sharing personal depression stories matters 00:40 Terri introduces Bridget’s personal story 01:21 Bridget describes “pushing through” depression 01:44 Depression as a full-body experience 02:09 Bridget discusses her symptoms 03:14 Discussion of guilt, irritability, and foggy thinking 03:47 Bridget’s struggle with suicidal thoughts 04:33 Bridget explains her experience going off meds 05:41 Sudden relapse after restarting medication 06:06 How suicidal thoughts intensified without warning 06:14 Lack of awareness that meds were impacting perception 06:37 The absence of professional follow-up 07:15 The profound shift after surviving the darkest period 08:05 Advice: Always tell someone when starting or stopping meds 08:28 The evolving nature of depression and treatment 08:45 Encouragement for those currently struggling 09:37 Final message of hope and connection 10:22 Episode closing remarks and takeawayExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/