Giving Voice to Depression: Real Stories & Expert Support for Depression and Mental Health

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/

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/