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

Sam Dylan Finch, a writer and mental health advocate, returns to share how friends have helped him through tough times. He emphasizes the importance of 'reaching in' when someone struggles, even if they're not asking for help. Sam discusses compassionate approaches, practical strategies for offering support, and the need for genuine check-ins with loved ones. He also highlights the significance of understanding depression to foster better connections and create a safe space for conversation.

Reaching out for help when you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts can feel impossible — especially when you don’t know what to say. In this episode, mental health advocate Sam Dylan Finch shares practical, word-for-word language you can use to ask for the support you need.From small requests for daily help to urgent crisis communication, Sam’s list provides 10 powerful phrases that break through stigma, silence, and uncertainty. Whether you’re the one struggling or someone who wants to better support a loved one, these tools can make the difference between isolation and connection.💡 If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t know how to ask for help,” this conversation gives you the language, courage, and strategies to reach out.Link to Sam's list:  https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-ways-to-reach-out-when-youre-struggling-with-your-mental-health/Primary Topics Covered:Why asking for help is harder than it soundsPractical, word-for-word phrases to use when reaching outHow to ask for specific daily-life support without shameThe healing power of reminiscing and asking for reminders of your valueHow to safely communicate urgent or suicidal feelingsWhy reaching out earlier — before crisis — saves livesOvercoming stigma and believing you are worthy of supportTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction and purpose of the conversation 01:02 - Why reaching out for help isn’t as simple as it sounds 01:35 - Sam Dylan Finch’s personal loss and realization about asking for help 02:22 - Why vague advice like “just ask for help” often fails 02:58 - Sam’s list of practical phrases begins 03:07 - What tools can help people survive between appointments? 04:08 - Phrase #6: Asking for help with a specific daily task 05:44 - Phrase #7: Asking for reminders of your value or favorite memories 06:56 - Healing through reminiscence and why it works 07:22 - Phrase #8: How to ask for urgent support when you’re near your limit 08:41 - Phrase #9: Reaching out to less-close connections for support 10:07 - Why you are worthy of new relationships, even when struggling 10:28 - Phrase #10: Directly saying “I’m suicidal. I need help right now.” 11:16 - Understanding mental health struggles as true emergencies 12:17 - Why loved ones would always rather be “bothered” than lose you 13:34 - Using these asks before reaching a crisis point 13:47 - Personal reflections on trying Sam’s suggestions 14:33 - Closing thoughts 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/

Reaching out when you’re struggling with depression can feel impossible—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, writer and advocate Sam Dylan Finch joins us to share five practical, compassionate, and doable ways to ask for help.From finding the right words when you don’t know what you need, to asking for a check-in that can make all the difference, Sam’s tips give language and structure to one of the hardest parts of mental health recovery: reaching out.If you’ve ever wondered how to ask for help—or if you’re worried about overwhelming others—this episode will give you clear, realistic ways to connect with support before things spiral into crisis.Link to Sam Dylan Finch's list: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-ways-to-reach-out-when-youre-struggling-with-your-mental-health/Primary Topics Covered:Why asking for help feels so hard when you’re depressedFive specific, practical phrases you can use when reaching outHow check-ins and small gestures can prevent a deeper crisisWhy support from loved ones is just as critical as professional careThe importance of early, upstream suicide preventionTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction to the episode and hosts 01:00 – Feedback from a previous episode on suicidal thoughts 02:40 – Why “reach out” can feel impossible when you’re struggling 04:00 – Introducing guest Sam Dylan Finch and his personal story 05:20 – Realization after a friend’s suicide and his own struggles 07:00 – Why loved ones are the first line of defense in a mental health crisis 08:35 – Tip #1: “I don’t know what I need, but I don’t want to be alone” 10:55 – Tip #2: “I’m struggling and what I’ve been trying isn’t working” 09:30 – Tip #3: “I don’t feel safe by myself right now” 10:24 – Tip #4: “I’m in a bad place, but I’m not ready to talk about it” 12:46 – Tip #5: “Can you check in on me at a specific time?” 14:30 – Why small gestures matter more than you think 16:59 – Early prevention vs. waiting until crisis hits 19:26 – Examples of simple yet powerful acts of support 20:01 – Preview of next episode: tips for when things are more severe 20:14 – Closing reflections and encouragement to speak 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 the pandemic forced him into isolation, John found himself at his darkest point—facing suicidal thoughts more serious than ever before. But instead of giving up, he reached for help. That decision began a powerful journey of living with depression, finding hope, and finally realizing he was not alone.In this episode, John shares how stigma and shame kept him from naming depression for years, why personal stories spoke to him more than clinical definitions, and how admitting “I live with depression” became the key to recovery. He also reflects on the courage it took to open up to his family and friends, and how even the smallest connections made him feel lighter and less alone.Hosts Terry and Bridget highlight the importance of stories like John’s—proof that depression’s lies can be challenged, healing is possible, and that speaking up has the power to save lives.Primary Topics Covered:How John’s depression worsened during the COVID-19 pandemicThe connection between suicidal thoughts and feelings of isolationWhy intellectual knowledge of depression isn’t enough without emotional understandingThe role of stigma in keeping men silent about depressionHow personal stories (vs. clinical definitions) helped John accept his illnessThe healing power of hearing “you are not alone”The importance of naming depression as an illness, not a character flawHow opening up to friends and family reduced shame and built connectionWhy sharing lived experiences helps others survive their darkest momentsDaily routines, self-care, and medication as anchors for recoveryPractical ways to “shift your state” when stuck in negative thought loopsTimestamps:00:00 – Intro and John’s connection to the podcast community  03:02 – How the pandemic triggered John’s deepest depression  05:01 – Facing suicidal thoughts while quarantined  05:35 – Calling his doctor, restarting medication, and starting therapy  06:00 – Searching for answers: why do these dark episodes keep happening?  06:31 – Realizing he had been living with depression all his life  07:28 – Depression’s lies: “You’re not good enough”  08:05 – The healing power of personal stories vs. clinical definitions  09:39 – What John wishes he could tell his past self about depression  10:24 – Depression is not weakness, shame, or a secret to hide  11:04 – Why reaching out for help feels impossible—but why it matters  11:55 – Sharing his depression with a friend (and finding out he wasn’t alone)  12:24 – Opening up to his mother: a Herculean step toward connection  13:10 – The secret so many people keep: silent struggles with depression  14:31 – Planning ahead: why reaching out works best before the crisis hits  16:22 – What life looks like for John now: medication, therapy, and daily routines  18:31 – Learning to say: “I’m worth taking care of myself.”  19:47 – Tools to interrupt negative thought loops (self-compassion, shifting state)  21:39 – Call to listeners: share your own strategies to stop depression’s cycles  22:25 – Closing reflections on John’s powerful contribution  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/

For decades, John thought his pain was weakness. He buried his feelings, convinced that naming them would make him “less of a man.” But when he finally admitted that what he was experiencing had a name—depression—everything began to change.In this episode, John shares how childhood trauma, low self-esteem, and cultural stigma kept him silent for years. He opens up about the “pit of snakes” thinking that eroded his confidence, the pressure to “shake it off,” and why men so often confuse depression with failure.With honesty and courage, John describes how naming depression became the first step toward strength, hope, and healing. His story is a reminder that depression is not a character flaw—it’s an illness. And saying its name out loud can be the most powerful act of recovery.Links to ACEs information & tests:https://americanspcc.org/take-the-aces-quiz/https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.htmlPrimary Topics Covered:The stigma men face in naming and talking about depressionHow John struggled with self-esteem since childhoodThe link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adult depressionThe “pit of snakes” metaphor for depression’s negative thinkingWhy men often see depression as weakness, and how John challenged that beliefHow naming depression opened the door to acceptance and hopeThe role of professional help, therapy, and SSRIsWhy recovery is never linear—and why that’s okayHow COVID-19 became a turning point in John’s mental health journeyThe importance of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) for supportWhy compassion for others is often easier than compassion for ourselvesTimestamps:00:00 – Intro and John’s listener message of gratitude  01:49 – John: feeling alone in depression and finding hope in the podcast  02:45 – Fighting the idea of depression and fearing stigma  03:43 – Why men often see depression as weakness  04:53 – The role of self-stigma and negative self-talk  05:17 – Concealing feelings through dysfunctional coping strategies  06:15 – The “pit of snakes” metaphor for depression  06:23 – Low self-esteem since childhood and its ties to depression  07:04 – Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and long-term impact  07:46 – Growing up in an alcoholic, verbally abusive household  09:13 – Childhood memory: “What’s wrong with you?”  10:41 – Recognizing depression decades later and naming it  11:38 – How acceptance opened the door to hope  12:30 – Recovery is never linear—it’s messy and tangled  13:00 – What depression taught John about compassion for others  14:33 – Seeking professional help during divorce and financial struggles  15:09 – How SSRIs and therapy supported recovery  16:14 – COVID-19 as a turning point in his mental health journey  16:50 – Using EAP (Employee Assistance Program) for confidential help  17:48 – Willingness to do anything to get help at rock bottom  18:12 – The importance of grabbing lifelines when they’re offered  19:11 – Reflections on John’s courage in naming depression and sharing openly  20:06 – Closing: why naming depression helps us accept and heal  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/

Depression often whispers the cruel lie that your loved ones would be “better off without you.” These thoughts are not truths — they are symptoms of severe depression.In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Katie, a licensed social worker, shares her powerful story of masking depression, battling guilt, and nearly losing her life to silence. Psychologist Dr. Anita Sanz joins to explain why suicidal thoughts are a red flag for urgent care, why stigma keeps so many from speaking out, and how telling even one trusted person can change the trajectory of your life.This conversation is a raw and compassionate reminder that speaking up about suicidal thoughts is not weakness — it’s survival.Primary Topics Covered:How depression convinces people they’re a burdenWhy suicidal thoughts are symptoms, not truthsKatie’s personal story of silence, guilt, and near lossDr. Sanz on the psychology of suicidal thinkingThe dangers of masking depression while struggling insideFear of hospitalization and the role of stigmaWhy reaching out to even one person can save a lifeThe critical importance of breaking the silenceTimestamps:00:00 – Content warning and introduction  02:00 – Katie’s story: from mania to deep depression  04:30 – Depression’s lie: “They’d be better off without me”  07:00 – Common depressive thoughts of guilt and worthlessness  12:00 – Dr. Anita Sanz explains suicidal thoughts as symptoms  16:00 – Why suicidal thoughts can feel “selfless”  19:30 – Depression as the ultimate scam: How it convinces people  24:00 – Katie’s turning point: Telling her sister  26:00 – Breaking stigma and fear around hospitalization  30:00 – Why nothing helps until you speak up  34:30 – Closing reflections: Speaking saves lives  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 Katie was hospitalized for suicidal thoughts, her stay was life-saving. Just three months later, she was hospitalized again—this time for emergency back surgery that carried a 25% chance of death. Both were serious, both were critical—but the way she was treated, and the support she received, couldn’t have been more different.In this episode, Katie bravely shares her story of depression hospitalization and how it compared to her experience with medical care. She explains what it felt like to receive compassion, encouragement, and rehabilitation after surgery—but secrecy, stigma, and pressure to “move on” after psychiatric care.Co-hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz reflect on how stigma continues to shape hospital experiences, why mental health recovery deserves equal support, and how small shifts in empathy and openness could transform lives.This candid story is both a reality check and a call for change: depression is just as life-threatening as any medical emergency—and deserves to be treated that way.Primary Topics Covered:Katie’s history with bipolar disorder, depression, and suicidal thoughtsWhat led to her psychiatric hospitalization after a severe depressive episodeHow her hospital stay helped her stabilize and begin recoveryThe differences in treatment, support, and language between her mental health hospitalization and her emergency back surgeryHow stigma shaped her psychiatric care vs. medical care experienceThe role of family, secrecy, and privacy in mental health admissionsWhy rehabilitation after psychiatric care is just as essential as after physical surgeryHow shame and guilt influence mental health recoveryReflections on empathy gaps among medical professionals treating psychiatric patientsTimestamps:00:00 – Intro and welcome  01:11 – Katie’s two hospitalizations: psychiatric care vs. emergency surgery  02:02 – Early struggles with anxiety, OCD, and bipolar disorder  03:15 – Wedding stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts  04:27 – Opening up to her sister and husband about her suicidal plan  05:53 – Psychiatric hospitalization: two weeks of life-saving care  06:51 – Why rehabilitation after mental health care is overlooked  07:34 – Emergency back injury and life-threatening surgery  09:16 – Comparing hospital treatment: psychiatric vs. medical care  10:38 – Discharge pressures: who decides when you’re “ready”?  11:20 – Recovery support after surgery vs. after psychiatric care  13:26 – Shame and guilt in psychiatric admissions  14:39 – Staff responses: judgment vs. encouragement  15:53 – Family secrecy: why her mental health stay was kept hidden  17:23 – The support she wished she’d received during psychiatric care  18:02 – Dr. Sanz: why medical staff struggle to understand suicidality  20:59 – Depression and hopelessness as an “access issue”  21:52 – Looking ahead: next week’s episode on suicidal ideation  24:07 – Final reflections on stigma, empathy, and support  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 a parent lives with depression, the impact extends beyond the individual—it ripples into the family, especially children. In this moving episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Kathleen shares her deeply personal story of parenting while struggling with depression. She reflects on how her children were affected, the guilt she carried, and the steps she took to support them through her mental health journey.Together with host Terry, this episode explores the importance of honest communication, practical strategies for supporting children, and the reminder that love and presence—even when imperfect—make a profound difference.Link to the Little Hearts Project website: https://www.thelittleheartproject.org/Primary Topics Covered:How parental depression affects children emotionally and psychologicallyThe guilt parents carry when they struggle with mental healthWhy open conversations about depression matter for kidsStrategies to support children while managing your own mental healthBreaking cycles of silence and stigma within familiesReassurance that imperfect parenting can still provide love and stabilityTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction and episode context 01:12 – Kathleen shares her experience with depression as a parent 03:05 – The guilt of parenting while struggling with mental health 05:30 – How children are emotionally impacted by a parent’s depression 08:17 – The importance of honesty and openness with kids 11:22 – Practical ways to support children while healing yourself 14:00 – Breaking the cycle of silence and stigma in families 16:19 – Reframing parental guilt with compassion 18:42 – Reminders for parents: love and presence matter most 20:06 – 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/

Depression doesn’t look the same for everyone. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Liz shares her personal journey through two very different forms of depression — one triggered by grief and trauma, and another caused by chemical imbalance.Her story sheds light on the spectrum of depression, from episodes that eventually lift to treatment-resistant forms that require long-term strategies. Liz describes what worked for her, including therapy, medication, and self-care tools like music, meditation, and time in nature.She also explains how support from others helped her identify her depression when she couldn’t see it herself, and how she now pays it forward by encouraging others to seek help and break free from stigma.Links to "Signs of Depressions" resources:https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depressionhttps://mhanational.org/conditions/depressionPrimary Topics Covered:The two “types” of depression Liz experiencedHow grief-related depression differs from chemical imbalanceThe role of medication and therapy in recoveryThe importance of persistence when treatments don’t work right awaySelf-care tools that support healing (music, meditation, nature, acupuncture)Why support systems and being “present” matter so muchHow to help a friend or loved one who may be strugglingBreaking the silence and stigma around depressionTimestamps: 00:00 – Introduction from Bridget and Terry 00:47 – Introducing Liz and her story 02:03 – Liz explains the two different forms of depression she’s faced 02:55 – Grief- and trauma-related depression that eventually lifted 02:58 – Depression caused by chemical imbalance and why it felt different 03:13 – Therapy and medication: finding what works 03:46 – The role of persistence and hard work in recovery 04:10 – How someone else first recognized Liz’s depression 04:25 – Helping a friend accept and seek treatment 05:21 – Self-care practices that support Liz’s healing 05:41 – The importance of being present and listening 06:26 – How support can look in simple, everyday ways 07:08 – Breaking the silence and talking openly about depression 07:38 – Final reflections on support and reducing stigma 11:03 – Closing thoughts and outroExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Childhood depression often hides in plain sight — mistaken for shyness, teenage moodiness, or simply “a phase.” But the truth is, children can experience depression deeply, and without support, the consequences can follow them into adulthood.In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Sally shares her powerful story of living with depression from the age of ten — how her sadness went unnoticed, how poetry became an early cry for help, and how decades later she’s determined to raise awareness so other children don’t suffer in silence.Listeners will learn how to recognize the early warning signs of childhood depression, why stigma prevents families from acting, and how parents, teachers, and mentors can step in to support kids before their struggles become lifelong burdens.Link to Cleveland Clinic article: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14938-depression-in-childrenLink to CDC article: https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/depression.htmlPrimary Topics Covered:Sally’s story: living with childhood depression in the 1960sHow sleep changes, grief, and sadness can be overlooked as normal behaviorThe impact of losing a supportive grandparent and lack of guidance afterwardPoetry and dark writings as early indicators of depressionTeachers noticing — but families ignoring — signs of distressHow stigma and silence prevented early interventionThe role of medication and therapy later in lifeSally’s reflections on resilience and building a career despite depressionAdvice for today’s parents, teachers, and mentors: tuning in and taking actionWhy early recognition of childhood depression can save livesTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction  01:00 – Why childhood depression is often misunderstood  01:20 – Sally reflects on her 10- and 13-year-old self  02:17 – Childhood sadness, excessive sleeping, and feeling “different”  03:26 – Losing her grandmother and the lack of family support  04:12 – Using poetry as an outlet for deep sadness  05:09 – Teacher notices dark writing, but parents dismiss concerns  06:08 – Rediscovering letters that showed signs at age 10  07:30 – What her grandmother could have done differently  08:42 – Depression diagnosis at 21 and first effective medication  09:32 – Experiencing happiness for the first time in decades  10:06 – The reality of managing medication long-term  11:35 – Building a successful career while living with depression  12:30 – Describing “the pit” of depression  13:44 – Sally’s ongoing work supporting Giving Voice to Depression  14:29 – Why internet resources could have changed her childhood  14:44 – The importance of ending stigma and recognizing depression in kids  15:39 – How early support could have changed her life’s trajectory  17:16 – Closing reflections and community thanks  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/