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

Latest Episodes:

How to Support a Friend with Depression: Simple Ways That Truly Help Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

Supporting a loved one with depression can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t always require grand gestures or complicated interventions. In this episode, Michelle Madison shares her powerful story of how a friend’s lighthearted, creative challenge—a silly selfie over coffee—helped pull her out of depression’s darkness.

We explore how small acts of kindness, validation, and genuine presence can make all the difference for someone struggling. Michelle also reflects on her own experiences with suicidal ideation, stigma, and the importance of speaking openly about mental health.

This episode reminds us that suicide prevention isn’t only about crisis moments. It’s about millions of caring acts along the way.

Link to the article referenced in episode: Suicide Prevention Doesn't Have to Be a Huge, Scary Thing: https://bit.ly/3ixsiky

Primary Topics Covered

Why simple, unexpected gestures can be powerful support tools
How humor and creativity can interrupt depression’s grip
The role of validation vs. advice when helping a friend
Breaking silence and stigma by speaking openly about mental health
Suicide prevention as everyday compassion, not just crisis response

Timestamps

00:05 – Introduction to the episode and hosts
01:41 – The post that inspired this conversation
02:22 – How a silly selfie became a lifeline
04:00 – Supporting others through humor and connection
06:00 – Michelle describes “the worst of it” with depression
07:07 – How a friend recognized the signs and stepped in
08:16 – Growing up with stigma and silence around mental health
10:17 – Family history, secrecy, and courage to speak out
12:20 – Practical ways to ask: “How can I support you?”
14:33 – The power of validation in dark times
15:05 – Michelle’s message of hope: surviving bad days proves you can survive more
17:31 – Recovery as ongoing work—and why it’s worth it
18:51 – Why checking in matters, even when it’s simple
20:39 – Suicide prevention as “a million caring acts”
23:48 – Final reflections and reminders to reach in, not just wait for someone to reach out

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/

Treatment Trauma in Mental Health: Racism, Stigma, and Finding Culturally Competent Care Sep 23, 2021

Show notes

When mental health care itself causes harm, it leaves lasting scars. Dr. Warren Braden, a licensed marriage and family therapist in training, joins Giving Voice to Depression to explain treatment trauma—when people seeking help encounter bias, stigma, or a lack of cultural understanding in the system meant to support them.

From the challenges of finding therapists who truly understand racial and cultural contexts, to the risks when law enforcement becomes involved in mental health crises, Dr. Braden sheds light on why Black and Brown communities often hesitate to seek care. He also shares hopeful changes: younger generations breaking stigma, crisis intervention training for police, and a growing demand for culturally competent therapists.

This candid and eye-opening episode explores how racism, systemic inequities, and stigma intersect with depression and trauma—and how individuals and families can find hope, healing, and better care.

Primary Topics Covered:

What “treatment trauma” means in mental health care
How cultural stigma prevents people from seeking help
The risks of therapy that ignores cultural and systemic context
Why representation matters in counseling and treatment
The role of law enforcement in mental health crises—and the risks involved
Examples of how depression can’t be treated without addressing environment and trauma
Hopeful generational shifts in openness about mental health
The rise of culturally competent care and peer support
Moving beyond a broken system to find trusted support

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to treatment trauma and racial disparities in care
02:07 – Defining “treatment trauma” and why it matters
03:08 – Stigma in Black and Brown communities around depression
04:02 – How younger generations are breaking the silence
05:14 – Why many therapists fail to account for culture and trauma
06:01 – Example: a teen facing abuse, bullying, and depression
07:18 – Representation gaps in therapy and why shared experience matters
08:38 – Depression as “normalized” stress in many communities
10:16 – The risks of police involvement in mental health crises
11:08 – Crisis intervention teams and improving law enforcement training
12:02 – The influence of athletes and public figures in reducing stigma
12:49 – Seeing depression as a public health issue, not a family secret
13:09 – Tools for resilience, healing, and moving forward
14:48 – Finding the right therapist despite systemic challenges
15:31 – Closing reflections and resources

A Mother’s Story of Suicide Loss: Honoring Her Son and Fighting Depression’s Lies Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

Suicide is devastating, complex, and deeply misunderstood. In this powerful conversation, Patty Kajawa shares the heartbreaking story of losing her 18-year-old son, Jack, to suicide—and the ways she continues to honor his memory.

Patty’s story reminds us that depression doesn’t always look like the stereotypes. Jack was funny, outgoing, and deeply loved. Yet behind the mask, he was struggling with an illness that ultimately took his life. Patty shares what she wishes more parents, teens, and communities understood about depression, suicide warning signs, and the importance of telling the truth in therapy.

This episode is raw and difficult, but also filled with love, resilience, and hope. Patty’s message is one of remembrance, kindness, and courage—urging us to support one another, ask the hard questions, and build a world where people feel they truly belong.

Primary Topics Covered:

Why “awareness” alone is not enough for suicide prevention
The role of kindness and community in supporting mental health
A mother’s experience of losing her teenage son to suicide
The reality of masking depression and hiding suicidal thoughts
Honest conversations parents can have with teens: “Are you safe?”
The importance of telling the truth in therapy and psychiatry
Breaking stereotypes about who struggles with depression
Where hope still lives, even after devastating loss

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and context for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
01:15 - Jess Stoneman-Raney’s post on radical belonging and prevention
02:54 - Patty Kajawa introduces her kindness challenge for her son Jack’s birthday
04:02 - The importance of small acts of kindness in a hurting world
05:27 - Revisiting Patty’s 2018 interview after her son’s death
06:38 - Dr. Barbara Moser on the complexity of suicide prevention
09:28 - Patty shares her son Jack’s story and the family’s struggle
11:24 - Jack’s humor, kindness, and hidden depression
12:31 - The difficulty of getting honest answers in therapy
13:55 - Why depression doesn’t always match media stereotypes
15:09 - How Patty and Jack used the phrase “Are you safe?”
16:05 - Creating mental health days and giving kids tools to cope
17:12 - Grappling with “what ifs” and the limits of parental control
18:26 - Patty’s faith and ongoing commitment to sharing Jack’s story
19:08 - Updated language guidelines for talking about suicide
19:31 - Closing reflections and encouragement

Teen Suicide Prevention: A Grieving Mother’s Message on Warning Signs and Support Sep 20, 2021

Show notes

When someone dies by suicide, the grief is unlike any other. It’s filled with questions, guilt, love, and a desperate wish to understand. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we share the story of Patty Kijawa, a grieving mother who lost her teenage son Jack to suicide.

Through her pain, Patty has chosen to speak openly to help others. She talks about the importance of listening for subtle warning signs, breaking down stigma, and reminding teens and families that help is always available.

Her heartbreaking yet powerful message underscores this truth: suicide can happen even when families do everything right. But it also shows how one voice, even in grief, can inspire others to reach out, speak up, and get help.

If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call or text 988 in the U.S. to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

🎙️ Primary Topics Covered

A mother’s story of losing her son to suicide
Why grief after suicide is unique and complicated
The importance of listening for subtle warning signs
What teens often share with friends instead of adults
Why speaking up could save a life
How Patty’s message spread to other teens and families
The role of faith and finding purpose in loss
Suicide prevention hotlines and resources

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to episode and suicide awareness
01:41 – Why acknowledging suicide loss matters
02:13 – Patty shares her son Jack’s story
03:18 – Their last family conversation
04:37 – A mother’s painful goodbye
04:56 – Speaking at Jack’s memorial mass
06:23 – Teens honoring Jack’s memory
07:39 – Jack’s words of support to others
08:12 – His private struggles revealed in his diary
09:08 – Why warning signs can be missed or masked
09:53 – Friends noticing changes before adults do
10:39 – Red flags teens and families should look for
10:58 – Patty brings her message to schools
11:31 – Finding faith and purpose in loss
12:23 – Suicide prevention resources (988 & crisis text line)

From Suicidal Thoughts to Hope: A Personal Story of Depression Recovery Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, John shares his deeply personal journey of living with undiagnosed, lifelong depression—and how the pandemic brought him to his darkest place. Struggling with suicidal thoughts during quarantine, John finally sought help through therapy, medication, and connection with others.

He describes the powerful shift that came from hearing people speak openly about depression—not as weakness, but as illness. By listening to the real stories of peers, John discovered self-acceptance, community, and the courage to share his own truth.

John’s story is a moving reminder that depression thrives in silence but weakens when voices unite. If you’re struggling, you are not broken, you are not alone, and help is available.

Primary Topics Covered:

The impact of childhood trauma and self-esteem on lifelong depression
How the pandemic triggered John’s darkest depressive episode
Suicidal ideation and the turning point that led him to seek help
The difference between intellectual knowledge and emotional understanding of depression
Why hearing peer stories is powerful for breaking stigma and finding hope
The challenges—and relief—of telling friends and family about depression
Daily routines, therapy, and medication as tools for recovery
Strategies for interrupting negative thought loops

Timestamps:

00:05 – Introduction to the episode and quotes on healing through words
01:29 – John’s background and lifelong struggle with depression
04:22 – The pandemic and John’s deepest depressive episode
05:32 – Suicidal ideation during quarantine and seeking medical help
07:00 – Discovering that depression is illness, not weakness
08:14 – Why hearing lived experiences is more powerful than clinical definitions
09:27 – John’s message to his past self and to listeners: you are not broken
11:26 – The struggle of reaching out—and the surprising relief of sharing with a friend
13:15 – Realizing many people carry the same secret about depression
15:34 – How life changed after treatment, therapy, and daily routines
17:29 – Self-worth, self-care, and the importance of consistency
18:16 – Strategies for interrupting negative thought loops and shifting state
21:16 – Closing reflections on the power of sharing stories

Growing Up With Trauma and Depression: A Journey From Silence to Healing Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

What happens when you finally put a name to the pain you’ve been carrying for years? For John, acknowledging that what he was experiencing was depression was the turning point in his journey from silence and stigma toward hope and healing.

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, John shares openly about growing up in a household marked by trauma and alcoholism, the heavy self-stigma men often face, and the years he spent trying to “tough it out.” Through therapy, medication, and finally naming his depression for what it was, John discovered that healing begins with self-compassion and connection.

If you’ve ever wondered “What’s wrong with me?” or struggled to accept your mental health challenges as real, this episode offers reassurance that naming and owning your depression is not weakness—it’s the first step toward freedom.

Links to ACEs test: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/media-coverage/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean

https://www.naadac.org/assets/2416/michael_bricker_acesassessment_ac16_ho.pdf

Primary Topics Covered:

How stigma and masculinity silence men’s depression
The “pit of snakes” metaphor for self-critical thinking
Growing up with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
The lasting impact of low self-esteem and verbal abuse
Recognizing depression as a medical condition, not a weakness
How COVID-19 and personal crises intensified depression
Accessing therapy, medication, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
Why naming depression opens the door to hope and recovery
The role of compassion—for others and for ourselves—in healing

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and listener story
02:45 - John’s first acknowledgment of depression
03:57 - Stigma, masculinity, and self-stigma in men
05:17 - Concealing depression and unhealthy coping
06:15 - The “pit of snakes” of negative self-talk
07:04 - Childhood trauma, ACEs, and low self-esteem
08:41 - How abuse shaped John’s depression
09:56 - The childhood memory of being asked, “What’s wrong with you?”
11:38 - Owning the name of depression and feeling hope again
13:00 - What recovery really looks like—ups and downs
14:50 - Therapy, antidepressants, and situational vs. chronic depression
16:14 - How COVID deepened John’s depression
16:50 - Using EAP and counseling for help
17:56 - The importance of grabbing a lifeline
18:28 - Revisiting ACEs and understanding adult struggles
20:06 - Closing reflections and takeaways

How to Manage Depression: Coping Skills, Mood Scales, and the 3-Day Rule Aug 31, 2021

Show notes

When depression starts to pull you under, the hardest step is often realizing it’s happening. In this powerful conversation, guest Matt Zinman shares the practical strategies he’s used to manage depression and stop it from spiraling out of control.

Matt introduces the 3-Day Rule, a simple framework for knowing when it’s time to act. He also discusses the role of mood scales, exercise, hydration, nutrition, coping skills menus, and self-kindness in building a sustainable foundation for mental health.

Terry and Dr. Anita reflect on Matt’s story and highlight why early action is so important. This episode is full of practical tools—and hopeful reminders—that managing depression is possible with awareness and support.

Link to Matt's website: https://mattzinman.com/

Primary Topics Covered:

How grief triggered Matt’s most severe depression
The 3-Day Rule: why day three is critical
Setting boundaries with depression
Using mood scales to track mental health
Coping skills for breaking a depression cycle
The power of endorphins and movement
Why “messy” coping strategies still help
Building resilience through earned confidence
Making self-kindness a daily practice

Timestamps:

00:00 – Opening reflections on depression recovery tools
01:34 – Matt Zinman’s story and motivation for sharing
03:06 – Depression, grief, and the turning point
05:02 – The 3-Day Rule explained: why day three matters most
06:07 – How physical activity supports mental health
06:59 – Joyful and messy coping skills: both can work
09:21 – Shifting state: small steps to break thought loops
10:27 – Earned confidence: building on past resilience
12:41 – Practicing daily self-kindness
14:42 – Terry and Bridget reflect on Matt’s challenge to self-kindness
17:22 – Discussion on coping skills that work for different people
19:16 – How to recognize depression early and act quickly
20:33 – Resources, links, and closing thoughts

Depression and Family Trauma: Coping With Bipolar, Suicide Attempts, and Loss Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

What happens when mental illness runs in a family? In this deeply moving conversation, Matt Zinman shares his lived experience of growing up with a bipolar father and a mother who survived a suicide attempt. Matt later faced his own battles with depression and suicidal ideation—experiences that shaped his understanding of both the pain and resilience that mental illness brings to families.

This episode also explores the devastating loss of Matt’s brother to opioid misuse and depression, the complexities of medication struggles, and the importance of supportive networks. By telling his story, Matt helps break stigma and shows how honesty, anger, grief, and love can all coexist in mental health recovery.

If you or a loved one are living with depression, bipolar disorder, or family trauma, this conversation offers validation, tools, and hope.

Matt Zinman's website: https://mattzinman.com/

Primary Topics Covered:

The role of genetics and environment in depression and bipolar disorder
Growing up in a family deeply impacted by mental illness
Childhood confusion and anger around a parent’s suicide attempt
Processing grief and mixed emotions after losing a sibling to suicide and addiction
The dangers of medication side effects, including suicidal ideation
Hospitalization, inpatient vs. outpatient treatment, and gaps in care
How stigma and silence compound family trauma
Building a support system of people who “lift you up”
The coexistence of love, grief, and anger in mental health struggles
Practical takeaways for coping with depression in families

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
01:09 - Genetics, family history, and risk of depression
02:11 - Matt’s childhood with a bipolar father and depressed mother
03:34 - Growing up around silence and stigma about mental health
04:07 - Mother’s suicide attempt and early confusion as a child
06:13 - First experiences of depression in adolescence
07:15 - Losing his brother to depression and opioid misuse
08:31 - Mixed emotions: anger and grief after suicide loss
10:15 - Rebuilding connection with his mother after her attempt
11:05 - Hospitalization for depression and medication struggles
12:22 - Gaps in the mental health care system
13:13 - The importance of support systems and people who lift you up
14:38 - Acknowledging complexity: anger, love, and forgiveness
16:55 - Closing thoughts and preview of Part Two

Breaking Stigma in Black Communities: Mental Health, Racism, and Culturally Competent Care Aug 17, 2021

Show notes

What happens when mental health care—meant to heal—actually causes harm? That harm has a name: treatment trauma.

In this episode, Dr. Warren Braden, a licensed marriage and family therapist in training, unpacks how racism, stigma, and systemic inequities shape the mental health experiences of Black and Brown communities. He explains why cultural silence often discourages seeking help, how representation gaps in therapy create mistrust, and why traditional models of care often ignore the realities of trauma and discrimination.

Dr. Braden also discusses hopeful changes: younger generations are speaking more openly about depression, athletes and public figures are breaking stigma, and more therapists are being trained in culturally competent care.

This conversation is both challenging and hopeful—reminding us that mental health cannot be separated from culture, environment, and justice.

Primary Topics Covered:

What “treatment trauma” means in mental health care
How stigma in Black and Brown communities prevents people from seeking help
Why many therapists fail to consider racial and cultural context
The dangers of ignoring trauma in treatment
The role of law enforcement in mental health crises
Crisis intervention teams as a step toward safety
The importance of representation in therapy and recovery
Generational shifts in openness about depression and care
Moving toward culturally competent and community-centered support

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to treatment trauma and racism in mental health
02:07 – Defining treatment trauma and why it matters
03:08 – Stigma in Black and Brown communities around depression
04:02 – Younger generations breaking silence about mental health
05:14 – Why many therapists lack cultural awareness in treatment
06:01 – Example of a teen facing trauma, bullying, and depression
07:18 – The importance of representation in therapy and care
08:38 – Normalized depression and untreated pain in communities
10:16 – The risks of police involvement in mental health crises
11:08 – Crisis intervention teams and safer responses
12:02 – Athletes and public figures breaking stigma
12:49 – Depression as a public health issue, not a private failure
13:09 – Tools for resilience, healing, and support
14:48 – Finding the right therapist despite systemic barriers
15:31 – Closing reflections and resources

What Does Depression Feel Like? Terry’s Honest Story of Living, Healing, and Recovering Aug 10, 2021

Show notes

What does it really feel like to live with depression — and how do you fight back against its lies?

In this deeply personal episode, Terri, co-host of Giving Voice to Depression, shares her own battle with mornings, dark thoughts, and the exhaustion of living with depression in silence. She opens up about the moment she realized her thinking had turned dangerously unhealthy, the decision to return to medication, and how that choice saved her life.

Her journey from despair to founding this podcast is a testament that recovery is possible. If you’ve ever wondered how to deal with depression or doubted your worth because of it, Terri’s story is a powerful reminder: depression lies, and you are not alone.

Primary Topics Covered:

Terry’s struggle with depression’s toxic “morning mantra”
What depression really feels like day after day
Recognizing unhealthy thinking and a near crisis point
Choosing to seek medical help and return to antidepressants
How medication and therapy can be lifesaving tools
Founding Giving Voice to Depression as an act of recovery
Why sharing stories reduces stigma and isolation
The truth: depression is an illness, not a personal failing
Building resilience through community and hope

Timestamps:

00:00 Terry explains pausing new episodes to prioritize rest
01:14 Revisiting one of the podcast’s very first episodes
02:03 Terry introduces her personal story of living with depression
03:11 Depression’s toxic “morning mantra” and daily struggles
05:10 How depression convinces us we’re not enough
07:03 Terry’s near crisis moment with physical health and dark thoughts
09:15 Calling her doctor and choosing to return to antidepressants
10:34 Founding Giving Voice to Depression as a way to make meaning
12:00 Why sharing stories breaks stigma and builds connection
13:35 The importance of medication and self-care in recovery
15:04 The truth about depression: it lies — you have worth
16:22 Bridget and Terry reflect on the courage of telling our stories
18:05 Closing message: speak up, listen up, you are not alone

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