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

Latest Episodes:

Living with Depression: Tools, Triggers, and the Daily Fight for Recovery Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

Depression often feels like trying to fix something broken with something else that’s broken.

In this moving episode, Davey shares his raw and honest story of living with depression and anxiety. From the exhaustion of hitting rock bottom to the slow discovery of “tools for a time” that help him cope, Davey explains how he manages daily triggers, finds small victories, and redefines what recovery looks like.

Through metaphors like a clogged chainsaw and even chicken soup that can’t be digested, he gives listeners new ways to understand depression’s challenges. Most importantly, he offers hope: that even when depression feels overwhelming, it’s possible to gather tools, learn, and keep moving forward.

Primary Topics Covered

The reality of living with depression and social anxiety
Redefining identity after depression changes your life
Coping tools and “tools for a time” for survival
The importance of taking small steps and celebrating small wins
How intrusive thoughts and daily triggers impact recovery
Depression as a legitimate illness, not a personal failing
The metaphor of clogged machinery as a way to understand depression
Why well-meaning advice can feel unhelpful during deep depression
Accepting depression as a challenge instead of a personal weakness
The hope that depression can be managed, even if not cured

00:00 – Introduction: why Davey’s story still resonates today
02:06 – Redefining yourself after depression takes you down
03:00 – Hitting the wall: exhaustion and racing thoughts
04:11 – Applying a strong work ethic to fighting depression
05:20 – Small victories: how little accomplishments boost mood
06:11 – “Tools for a time” and why different tools work at different moments
07:15 – Restoring chainsaws as a metaphor for understanding depression
08:23 – Speaking openly about depression for the first time
08:59 – Why well-meaning advice can feel impossible to “digest”
10:55 – Becoming a student of your illness: taking notes in therapy
11:34 – Depression as a legitimate medical condition, not weakness
13:44 – Managing anxiety to reduce depression triggers
14:38 – Daily struggles: magnifying small things into catastrophes
15:20 – Finding purpose in giving back, even through blood donation
15:57 – Why depression is still a winnable battle
16:30 – Building a toolbox of coping strategies for recovery
17:40 – Becoming more compassionate and useful through lived experience
18:27 – Closing reflections on acceptance, learning, and ongoing growth

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Managing Holiday Stress and Depression: Mental Health Strategies That Work Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

The holidays are painted as a season of joy, but for many, they bring stress, grief, and heightened depression. In this conversation with psychologist Dr. Anita Sanz, we explore the realities of holiday depression and offer practical ways to approach the season with compassion, flexibility, and self-care. From shifting expectations to making empowering choices, this episode provides both validation and strategies for anyone struggling during the holidays—or supporting someone who is.

You’ll learn why permission to say “no” (or a last-minute “yes”) can be a gift, how self-care basics become non-negotiable, and why redefining traditions can help protect your mental health.

Whether you dread family gatherings, feel weighed down by expectations, or just need reminders to give yourself grace, this conversation offers hope and perspective.

Primary Topics Covered:

Why depression often worsens during the holiday season
The impact of unrealistic expectations and comparison
Dr. Anita Sands’ “holiday gift” of compassionate invitations
Practical self-care strategies for navigating holiday stress
Reframing traditions and giving yourself permission to do less
How to extend compassion to yourself and loved ones

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and holiday context
01:13 – Why depression can feel heavier during holidays
02:26 – The pressure of expectations and family dynamics
03:42 – Understanding Scrooge and the human side of withdrawal
05:33 – How grief, depression, and exhaustion block joy
06:31 – Dr. Sands’ “holiday gift”: low-pressure invitations
07:22 – Compassionate flexibility in social situations
08:44 – The importance of self-care (sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress management)
10:46 – Reconnecting with love, hope, and goodwill
12:46 – Giving yourself choices and permission
13:56 – Doing less and focusing on what matters most
14:46 – Financial and emotional fallout of holiday stress
16:12 – Personal reflections on changing holiday traditions
17:15 – Closing encouragement and reminders

Holiday Depression Is Real: Coping With Anxiety, Grief, and Stress During the Season Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

The holidays can be an especially painful time when you’re living with depression or anxiety—made even harder by grief, loss, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. In this episode, psychologist Dr. Maggie Mulqueen offers compassionate, practical advice for navigating the holidays when joy feels forced or out of reach.

She discusses how to release “Hallmark expectations,” embrace a both/and mindset (grief and gratitude can coexist), and discover a sense of purpose that can ease holiday depression. Whether you’re missing loved ones, overwhelmed by social pressures, or simply exhausted by uncertainty, this conversation will help you feel seen and supported.

Link to referenced article: www.drmaggiemulqueen.com/publications

Primary Topics Covered:

Why the holidays intensify depression and anxiety
The impact of seasonal affective disorder and the pandemic on mental health
Three groups of people struggling differently with the holidays
How grief and “empty seats at the table” affect holiday gatherings
The importance of embracing a both/and mindset (sadness + gratitude)
How to support loved ones by listening instead of minimizing feelings
Why purpose and small acts of kindness help protect mental health
The danger of “toxic positivity” during the holidays
How to hold space for your own emotions without shame
A hopeful closing poem: In the Time of Pandemic by Kitty O’Meara

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction and context for the holiday episode
01:00 - Why holidays during the pandemic are uniquely difficult
01:20 - Dr. Maggie Mulqueen on the psychological impact of disrupted traditions
02:14 - Why November through March is the busiest season for therapists
02:53 - Cancelled gatherings and the emotional fallout
03:11 - People experiencing holiday struggles for the first time
04:15 - Those with pre-existing holiday blues losing their usual coping outlets
04:57 - Families stuck together: why “home for the holidays” feels different
05:56 - Grief, empty seats, and the difficulty of unacknowledged loss
06:31 - Why there is no “right” way to celebrate the holidays
07:26 - Learning to embrace both/and thinking for resilience
08:24 - Special considerations for people already living with depression
09:30 - Why purpose and small acts of kindness help protect mental health
10:47 - We’re not “post” pandemic: why collective trauma lingers
11:27 - Uncertainty and anxiety about the future
12:13 - Why urging joy or “just be grateful” can deepen shame
13:52 - The harm of not being heard and the weight of shame
14:39 - Final takeaway: embracing complexity and both/and thinking
15:35 - A Thanksgiving wish for gratitude without denial
15:55 - Reading of In the Time of Pandemic by Kitty O’Meara
17:23 - Reflections on hope, gratitude, and “the great reset”
18:05 - Closing wishes for listeners and a preview of next week’s episode

Breaking Cycles of Trauma: Healing, Resilience, and Mental Health in Communities of Color Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

In this powerful episode, Dr. Maria Innocencia-Amarante shares her journey of growing up in an immigrant family, surviving trauma, and breaking generational cycles of abuse and secrecy. Drawing on both her personal experiences and her expertise as a trauma therapist, she explains how trauma changes the way we see the world, why recovery requires revisiting and processing the past, and how healing becomes possible when even one supportive person believes in you.

This episode sheds light on the unique challenges faced by communities of color in addressing trauma, secrecy, and stigma, and offers hope that resilience and recovery are always within reach.

Primary Topics Covered:

How trauma impacts worldview, relationships, and identity
The role of family, secrecy, and cultural norms in shaping trauma responses
Breaking generational cycles of abuse and dysfunction
Education and resilience as tools for transformation
The importance of being seen, heard, and believed in recovery
Practical steps and resources for finding help and starting healing

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and podcast
01:35 - Defining trauma recovery and its challenges
02:06 - How trauma changes people and shapes worldview
02:53 - The elevator metaphor for trauma recovery
03:41 - Dr. Amarante shares her personal story of trauma
04:48 - Growing up in poverty, violence, and secrecy
05:26 - Witnessing domestic violence in her family
06:11 - Exposure to community violence and survival mode
07:24 - Lasting impact of childhood traumatic stress
07:35 - Siblings’ different paths in coping with trauma
09:01 - Breaking cycles through education and resilience
10:22 - Balancing lessons from an abusive but hardworking father
11:05 - Earning a doctorate and proving doubters wrong
12:08 - Choosing to interrupt generational cycles of violence
13:27 - Why some people respond differently to the same trauma
14:24 - The power of having even one person who believes in you
15:39 - What to do if you don’t feel supported
16:52 - Recovery and healing from trauma is possible
17:58 - Staying the course when healing gets painful
18:17 - The importance of being seen, held, and supported
19:12 - Defining trauma and the perception of threat
19:51 - Closing reflections and gratitude for Dr. Amarante

How Childhood Trauma Shapes Depression—and the Path to Healing Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

Trauma doesn’t just fade with time—it changes the way we see ourselves, others, and the world. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Maria Innocencia-Amarante, trauma survivor and therapist, shares her personal story of growing up in poverty, violence, and secrecy while navigating depression and trauma.

From witnessing domestic violence to becoming the first in her family to earn a doctorate, Dr. Amarante describes how breaking cycles of silence and abuse opened the door to healing—for herself, her family, and those she now counsels.

Listeners will hear practical insights on how trauma shapes mental health, why recovery is possible, and how even one supportive person can make a life-changing difference.

If you’ve ever wondered how childhood trauma impacts depression—or how to begin reclaiming hope—this episode is for you.

Primary Topics Covered:

How trauma shapes our worldview and mental health
The impact of domestic violence, poverty, and secrecy in childhood
Different ways siblings responded to the same trauma
Breaking generational cycles of abuse and silence
Finding hope and healing through education and therapy
The importance of supportive relationships in recovery
Why trauma recovery is possible for everyone

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to episode and hosts
01:35 - Defining trauma and its impact on worldview
02:53 - Trauma recovery explained through the “elevator” metaphor
03:41 - Why telling your story is key to healing
04:48 - Growing up in poverty, gangs, and violence
05:26 - Witnessing domestic violence in childhood
06:11 - Witnessing a murder outside her home
07:24 - Effects of childhood traumatic stress on lifelong mental health
08:15 - Siblings’ different responses: addiction, policing, survival
09:52 - Education as a pathway out of trauma
10:22 - Learning resilience from her father despite abuse
11:05 - Becoming first in family to earn a doctorate
12:08 - Breaking cycles of silence and abuse
13:16 - What influences how people respond to trauma
14:24 - How therapy and safe relationships foster recovery
15:42 - What to do if you don’t have access to support
16:38 - Recovery and healing from trauma is possible
17:58 - Final reflections on being seen, heard, and supported
19:12 - Closing thoughts and gratitude

Supporting Veterans’ Mental Health: Coping with PTSD and Depression Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

Veterans often face invisible battles long after leaving military service — PTSD, depression, and deep feelings of isolation. But civilians can play a powerful role in supporting them.

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, VA psychiatrist and veteran Dr. Mike McBride shares practical ways families, friends, and communities can better support the veterans in their lives. From listening without judgment, to recognizing PTSD triggers, to encouraging help-seeking behaviors, Dr. McBride explains how small, compassionate actions can make a lasting difference.

We also discuss the critical role of families in suicide prevention, the importance of firearm safety, and how to bridge the cultural gap between civilian and military life. This conversation is both a guide and a call to action for anyone who wants to truly support veterans’ mental health.

Link to Veteran's Crisis Line: www.veteranscrisisline.net

Link to Veteran Benefits Resources: https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits

Primary Topics Covered:

Why veterans’ mental health challenges are unique
The overlap of PTSD, depression, and isolation in veterans
Cultural differences that make it hard for veterans to ask for help
Three powerful ways civilians can support veterans:
1. Asking about their service and listening with care
2. Showing gratitude and appreciation
3. Supporting veterans as they transition into civilian life
How PTSD triggers like fireworks affect daily life
Suicide prevention: safe firearm storage and family intervention
Peer-led support programs and veteran crisis resources
Bridging the gap between military and civilian communities

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction
01:03 – Veterans Day and the focus on supporting mental health
01:39 – Shifting the question: what can civilians do?
02:19 – Why veterans often feel culturally disconnected from civilians
03:06 – Military training and why help-seeking feels impossible
03:52 – Three ways civilians can support veterans
04:03 – Asking about military service and listening with empathy
05:24 – How open conversation supports healing
06:02 – Showing gratitude and appreciation to veterans
06:49 – Dr. McBride’s personal sacrifices as a veteran
07:35 – Helping veterans thrive in civilian spaces
08:26 – PTSD triggers in daily life, including fireworks
09:23 – Families stepping in when veterans resist help
10:57 – Suicide prevention: safe firearm storage and means restriction
12:48 – How to have tough conversations about gun access
14:23 – Dr. McBride’s direct message to veterans themselves
15:22 – Why being heard matters for recovery
16:02 – Veterans Crisis Line and additional resources
17:29 – Closing reflections on stigma, silence, and support

Veterans and Mental Health: Coping with PTSD, Depression, and Isolation Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

Veterans face unique mental health challenges — from PTSD and depression to the deep isolation worsened by the pandemic. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, VA psychiatrist and veteran Dr. Mike McBride shares how military culture, trauma, and recovery intersect in the lives of those who served.

Dr. McBride draws from his personal and professional experience to explore the daily struggles veterans face, the role of loss in depression, and the importance of connection and resilience. He also highlights practical tools like the Veterans Creed and peer-run respite programs that offer hope and healing.

This candid conversation is a reminder that while military service can leave deep scars, recovery is possible — one day, one connection, and one act of hope at a time.

Primary Topics Covered:

Unique mental health challenges veterans face
How PTSD and depression often overlap with isolation
The impact of the pandemic on veterans’ mental health
Why exploring “loss” is key to understanding depression
The concept of collective trauma and post-traumatic growth
The Veterans Creed and how it supports resilience
Practical ways veterans can stay connected and seek support
New peer-led programs for veterans’ mental health recovery
How family, friends, and civilians can better support veterans

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction
01:03 – Veterans Day and the importance of listening to vets
01:26 – Survey data: disconnection, worsened mental health, and hope
02:48 – Guest introduction: Dr. Mike McBride, VA psychiatrist and veteran
03:37 – McBride’s military service and deployments
05:05 – How the pandemic has impacted veterans’ mental health
06:21 – PTSD, isolation, and why veterans were “prepared” for quarantine
07:43 – Depression as loss: exploring connections to grief
09:10 – Collective trauma and post-traumatic growth
10:14 – The Veterans Creed as a daily grounding practice
11:41 – The importance of connection during COVID-19 and beyond
13:19 – Why connection is critical for veterans facing depression
13:49 – Veteran-specific crisis line and resources
14:53 – Reflections on stigma and unspoken gratitude to veterans
15:16 – Peer-run respite for veterans: a new resource
16:13 – Closing thoughts on supporting veterans’ mental health

Mental Health Recovery Isn’t Linear: Lacey’s Story of Growth, Relapse, and Strength Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

Recovery isn’t a checklist—and progress isn’t always forward. In this powerful follow-up to Episode 191, social worker Lacey shares why mental health recovery is circular, not linear, and how both professionals and loved ones can better support those who are struggling.

Lacey speaks from both sides of the therapeutic relationship, offering insight into how we hold space without trying to fix, why relapses can be necessary steps in growth, and what it means to truly hear and see someone. If you’ve ever blamed yourself for “slipping back” into depression or felt awkward supporting someone who’s suffering, this episode is full of honesty, wisdom, and relief.

Primary Topics Covered:

Why mental health recovery doesn’t follow a straight line
The importance of holding space instead of offering fixes
Why relapses or “steps back” can actually be growth moments
Lacey’s dual perspective as a therapist and lived-experience advocate
Understanding depression as a lifelong journey, not a one-time episode
The harm of assuming mental illness is always a problem to be solved
The power of naming needs and asking, “Are you looking for advice or support?”
The strength in vulnerability, connection, and emotional honesty
How trying to relate through “me too” stories can silence someone
Validating anger as a mask for deeper hurt and unheard pain

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro and reflection on different perspectives of depression
01:33 Lacey’s return: from client to social worker with lived experience
02:44 Recovery as a circular journey—not a straight line
03:16 Why experience matters in understanding recovery
04:13 Going in and out of hopelessness is part of healing
05:19 The myth of regression in mental health
05:56 Relapse as growth: building tools through setbacks
06:41 Recognizing early signs of a depressive slide
07:33 How Lacey and her friend manage bipolar symptoms together
08:04 Redefining strength: holding space for emotions
09:06 What people with depression really need from others
10:23 The importance of having one trusted person to hold space
11:00 The isolating lie of depression: “You’re the only one”
11:37 Supportive language: “I won’t fix you—I’ll stand by you”
12:36 Powerful metaphor: “Don’t ask directions to a place you’ve never been”
12:52 The question that changes everything: “What kind of support do you want?”
13:39 Why being heard is more healing than being fixed
14:24 Coming to your own answers through therapy and self-awareness
15:04 The harm of uninvited “I know how you feel” stories
15:38 Why less is more when supporting someone in pain
16:32 Being heard as a rare, life-changing experience
17:46 Final reflections on duality, holding space, and grace

Teenage Depression and Finding Help: The Beginning of Hope in Lacey’s Story Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

At 14, Lacey didn’t have the words to describe her depression—just the tears, the withdrawal, and the deep confusion of feeling broken despite a stable life. In this powerful episode, she reflects on what changed everything: finding a therapist who listened, getting the right diagnosis, and hearing her grandmother share a life-changing truth—“You’re not alone.”

Now a social worker, Lacey shares her full-circle journey from silently suffering teen to mental health advocate. Her story is a beacon of hope, especially for anyone wondering if life can get better. It can. This is the beginning of that hope.

Primary Topics Covered:

What teenage depression looks like without a clear external trigger
Lacey’s transformation from outgoing to withdrawn at age 14
The emotional and physical symptoms that signaled deeper struggles
The impact of being heard, understood, and validated in therapy
Why finding the right therapist—and sticking with it—matters
How hearing her grandmother’s story changed Lacey’s life
What “the beginning of hope” feels like for someone with depression
Lessons learned through lived experience and professional practice
How vulnerability creates powerful human connection
Why mental health is a spectrum, not a fixed diagnosis

Timestamps:

00:00 Podcast intro and welcome to Season 19
01:02 Lessons from interviewing hundreds of people with depression
02:07 Letting conversations flow beyond expectations
03:20 Meet Lacey and her early experience of depression at 14
04:46 From energetic extrovert to isolated introvert
05:28 When the crying wouldn’t stop: recognizing something deeper
06:46 Therapy begins—and everything starts to change
07:55 Learning mental health matters just as much as physical health
08:53 Medication trials, therapy, and building emotional awareness
10:07 Why sadness isn’t the enemy—and acceptance is key
10:39 The importance of finding the *right* therapist
11:43 A conversation with her grandmother changes everything
13:06 “The beginning of hope” and the power of shared family stories
13:54 How vulnerability became her greatest strength as a social worker
14:20 The blurry line between mental health and mental illness
15:34 Rethinking mental illness as human responses to inhuman circumstances
16:06 Gratitude for therapists who help us hold space for all we feel
16:52 Remembering that no one is happy all the time—and that’s okay
17:34 Tease for part two: recovery, peer support, and deeper connection

Depression Recovery Journeys: Lessons, Hope, and Support from the Podcast Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

Season 18 of Giving Voice to Depression was filled with raw honesty, resilience, and hope. In this review episode, co-hosts Bridget and Terry reflect on a deeply challenging season personally and professionally, while revisiting the most powerful conversations with guests. From long and difficult journeys with depression to moments of transformation and hope, these stories remind us that while depression is real, so is recovery.

You’ll hear about lived experiences with treatment-resistant depression, how families are impacted by mental illness, the role of race and trauma in treatment, suicide prevention lessons, and creative ways people support one another in dark times.

This episode is both a reflection and a roadmap: highlighting the importance of routine, purpose, connection, and the simple truth that hope often arrives in unexpected ways.

Primary Topics Covered:

Why reviewing past stories strengthens hope and resilience
The power of hearing lived experiences with depression
Jennifer’s decades-long depression and her turning point with ECT
Eight lessons learned from living with depression
The origin story of the podcast and why sharing matters
Race, trauma, and barriers in the mental health system
Family dynamics and depression across generations
Learning to recognize early warning signs and apply coping tools
Suicide prevention insights from grieving families
Small but powerful acts of support that can change everything

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and reflections on Season 18
01:23 - Coping with personal struggles while continuing the podcast
02:22 - Jennifer’s decades-long depression journey
04:15 - How ECT brought Jennifer relief and renewed hope
06:04 - Lessons learned from living with depression
07:37 - Revisiting the podcast’s origin story
08:30 - Treatment trauma, race, and mental health with Dr. Braden
09:52 - Mental health as a family affair with Matt Zinman
11:34 - The “Three-Day Rule” for depression management
12:19 - Realizing you’ve had depression your whole life
13:23 - The one thing that made a huge difference in recovery
14:40 - A tragic truth about suicide and prevention lessons
16:36 - A grieving mother’s message about honesty in treatment
17:47 - Creative ways to support a struggling friend
18:40 - Closing reflections on the season

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

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

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected