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

Latest Episodes:

What Living With Depression Teaches Us: What Depression Teaches Us: Self-Awareness, Empathy, and Resilience Aug 03, 2021

Show notes

What if depression, as soul-crushing as it can be, also offered unexpected lessons that shape who we become?

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Tom Wavre shares eight lessons he’s learned from his own battle with depression. From confronting stigma and discovering inner strength, to learning empathy and helping others, Tom reframes depression not just as an illness, but as an experience that can bring unexpected growth and perspective.

Listeners will walk away with validation, hope, and practical insights into how depression can change—not define—us.

Primary Topics Covered:

How depression leads to deeper self-awareness
The real source of stigma and how to challenge it
Why opening up can be a turning point in recovery
Discovering unexpected inner strength in daily survival
The power of empathy and helping others
Recognizing you are not alone in the struggle
Reframing depression as part of your story, not your identity

Timestamps:

00:40 – Introducing the conversation on lessons from depression
01:30 – Tom Wavre and his article Eight Ways I’m Grateful for My Depression
02:48 – Accepting depression and going on the journey with it
03:17 – Lesson 1: Knowing yourself better through self-awareness
04:00 – Lesson 2: Understanding the true nature of stigma
05:27 – Lesson 3: The power of opening up about depression
06:39 – Lesson 4: Discovering inner strength you didn’t know you had
08:13 – The mountain-climbing metaphor for living with depression
08:20 – Lesson 5: Realizing you’re not alone in your struggles
09:18 – Lesson 6: Building empathy through depression
09:36 – Lesson 7: Helping others and the reward of giving back
10:34 – Lesson 8: Becoming a person you never thought you could be
12:17 – Moving from survival to progress in recovery
13:07 – Depression as just one part of your story
14:29 – Tools and resources for tracking mental health progress
15:05 – Closing reflections and invitation to share your lessons

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
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Depression Treatments That Work: Finding Hope Through TMS, ECT, and Support Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Jennifer returns to share her deeply personal journey of living with major depression for nearly three decades. From countless hospitalizations and medications to breakthrough treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Jennifer’s story illustrates both the painful persistence of depression and the importance of holding on to hope.

She describes what it felt like to finally wake up one morning without depression after years of relentless suffering, why support from loved ones matters, and how she learned to ask for what she needs.

This conversation is both realistic and inspiring—reminding listeners that while treatment journeys can be long and difficult, recovery is possible, and hope is always worth fighting for.

Link to ECT article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/electroconvulsive-therapy/about/pac-20393894

Link to TMS article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625

Primary Topics Covered:

Jennifer’s decades-long journey with depression
Experiences with psychiatric hospitalizations and failed medications
How TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) provided temporary relief
How ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) led to a dramatic transformation
The importance of supportive relationships in managing depression
Learning to ask for what you need when struggling
Holding on to hope—even when progress feels impossible

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to the episode and quotes about hope
02:21 – Jennifer re-introduced: her history with depression and hospitalizations
03:30 – Trying TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) and initial results
04:49 – Moving on to ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy)
05:13 – A life-changing morning: waking up without depression
07:20 – Living “without depression”: what normalcy feels like
08:38 – Jennifer’s decades-long mental health journey since age 12
09:38 – Medication frustrations and trials with nearly every antidepressant
10:09 – The role of sleep, food, and self-care in stabilizing mood
11:01 – The power of a supportive husband and family
12:56 – Learning to ask for help and what support looks like
15:22 – Why being listened to (without judgment) makes a difference
16:03 – Lessons Jennifer would share with others living long-term with depression
17:13 – Clinging to small moments of hope and joy
19:09 – How little distractions (like TV or hobbies) can help shift depression
20:24 – Jennifer’s message: keep hope alive, even when it feels impossible
21:34 – Closing thoughts and resources on TMS and ECT

Living with Depression: Coping Strategies, Treatment Challenges, and Finding Hope Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Jennifer shares her decades-long journey with severe depression, including the struggle to find effective medications, her coping tools for surviving dark times, and the importance of support and connection.

Jennifer describes how depression robs her of joyful experiences, yet she continues searching for treatments—from antidepressants to TMS and ECT—that provide relief. She also shares how knitting, pacing, and making small daily connections have helped her resist depression’s pull and even support high school students facing their own challenges.

This powerful conversation highlights the realities of living with depression, the resilience required to keep fighting, and the hope that emerges when we share our stories.

Primary Topics Covered:

Jennifer’s early experiences and diagnosis of severe depression
The long journey of trying different medications and treatments
How depression robs people of joy and meaningful life experiences
Coping strategies: pacing, knitting, and grounding tools
The role of support from loved ones and partners
Using lived experience to connect with and support others
Jennifer’s update on trying TMS and ECT for treatment
The importance of small daily connections in fighting stigma and building hope

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Giving Voice to Depression
01:28 – Why Jennifer decided to share her story
03:34 – Loneliness, medical leave, and finding comfort in voices
04:21 – First experiences of depression and early diagnosis
05:23 – Long and frustrating journey with medications
06:34 – Living with trial and error in depression treatment
07:32 – Strength in surviving when tomorrow feels unbearable
07:53 – How depression feels like being controlled by an outside force
08:59 – What depression has taken away: joy and experiences
09:54 – The role of her supportive partner
10:20 – Why being alone can give depression more power
11:08 – Coping strategies: knitting, pacing, and distraction
12:09 – Using lived experience to connect with students
13:24 – How she stopped self-harming and advice for others
13:51 – The importance of small connections in reducing stigma
15:05 – Reflection on what depression robs us of
16:25 – Jennifer’s update on TMS and ECT treatments
17:17 – The resilience required to keep searching for hope
18:31 – Closing thoughts and invitation to continue the conversation

Coping with Depression, Burnout, and Trauma on the Giving Voice to Depression Podcast Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

In Season 17 of Giving Voice to Depression, we shared powerful conversations exploring depression, burnout, family and generational trauma, and real-world strategies for both seeking and offering support. From deeply personal stories to practical tools provided by trusted mental health advocates and psychiatrists, this season highlighted the many ways we can better understand, live with, and respond to depression.

Whether you’re looking for insight on antidepressants, ways to ask for help when you’re struggling, or guidance on how to support a loved one, Season 17 delivered honest, hopeful, and stigma-busting perspectives.

Primary Topics Covered

Music as a tool for coping with depression
Teaching children about mental health early
What to expect when seeing a psychiatrist
Generational and family trauma in Black and Indigenous communities
Burnout vs. depression: how to tell the difference
Practical, specific strategies for asking for and offering help
Navigating the mental health system with compassion and persistence

Timestamps

00:05 – Introduction to Season 17
01:02 – Music and coping with depression (Demetra Prohoska’s story)
02:45 – Teaching children mental health awareness
04:31 – Antidepressants and psychiatry with Dr. Jessi Gold
05:52 – Generational trauma and Indigenous communities
07:20 – Family trauma, race, and mental health
09:40 – Depression vs. burnout explained
11:48 – Asking for help when it’s not intuitive (Sam Dylan Finch)
13:15 – How to ask for the help you need – Part 2
16:32 – How to support someone who’s struggling – Part 1
18:14 – How to support someone who’s struggling – Part 2
20:10 – Closing reflections on Season 17 and reminders of hope

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind: Practical Ways to Improve Mental Health Naturally Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Adel Corker shares his personal journey from decades in clinical medicine to becoming a passionate advocate for mental health. Despite an accomplished career in nephrology, his most important lessons came from lived experience—facing severe panic attacks, depression, and learning firsthand the critical link between body and mind.

Dr. Corker reveals how exercise, mindfulness, and self-compassion became essential tools in his recovery and explains why prioritizing physical wellness is one of the most overlooked ways to support mental health. He also highlights systemic issues, like underfunded brain research, and why society must shift its priorities.

This episode is both practical and hopeful, offering listeners evidence-based yet accessible tools to manage depression and anxiety while reminding us of the healing power of treating ourselves with kindness.

Primary Topics Covered:

The overlooked connection between physical and mental health
Dr. Corker’s personal experience with panic attacks and depression
How exercise can be a powerful tool for managing anxiety and depression
The role of meditation and mindfulness in building resilience
The importance of self-compassion, self-respect, and self-love
Why mental health research is underfunded compared to physical health
Small, daily practices that improve both body and mind

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and partnership with A.B. Corker Foundation
02:27 – Dr. Corker’s medical training and lack of mental health education
03:54 – First encounters with patients struggling mentally while on dialysis
04:56 – His personal experience with panic attacks
06:05 – Why exercise became a lifesaving mental health tool
07:19 – Meditation and learning to slow down
08:07 – Photography, focus, and the importance of where we place attention
10:04 – Building resilience through self-compassion
12:36 – The funding gap in mental health research
14:09 – Hope for shifting priorities post-pandemic
14:31 – Final message: healthy body, healthy mind, and practicing self-care

Helping a Loved One with Mental Illness: 11 Meaningful Ways to Offer Real Support Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

Supporting someone with depression or another mental health condition can feel overwhelming. What do you say? What do you avoid saying? How do you show up without overstepping?

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, returning guest Sam Dylan Finch shares 11 specific, meaningful ways his loved ones have supported him during mental health struggles—actions that helped him feel seen, safe, and cared for.

We cover how to check in authentically, how to maintain trust even when you don’t agree with someone’s choices, and how to provide real support without slipping into judgment or unsolicited advice.

If you’ve ever wanted to help but weren’t sure how, this episode gives you the tools, language, and encouragement to be the kind of support your loved one needs.

Primary Topics Covered:

Why unsolicited advice can do more harm than good
How to help someone navigate the complex mental health care system
Building and maintaining trust—even when you don’t agree with their choices
Supporting someone struggling with substance use without judgment
The importance of checking in after someone seems better
Balancing caregiver fatigue with staying connected and supportive
Why we can’t wait for people to ask for help—and how to reach out meaningfully

Timestamps:

00:02 – Introduction to the episode and series
00:46 – Why support matters even when it’s hard to ask for help
02:46 – #6: Don’t lecture or push treatment advice
04:42 – #7: Helping navigate the mental health system
07:20 – #8: Maintaining trust, even in difficult choices
08:44 – Supporting without judgment in substance use struggles
10:21 – How to encourage safety planning with compassion
11:10 – #9: Keep checking in, even when they appear better
12:33 – #10: Taking a caregiver break without causing harm
14:15 – #11: Don’t wait for someone to ask for help—reach out
16:27 – Why ongoing support matters after the “crisis” moment
20:31 – Two powerful things supporters can say to help someone feel safe
21:59 – Why we must learn this “support language” for mental health
22:32 – Closing thoughts and gratitude to guest Sam Dylan Finch

How to Help Someone with Depression: Practical Ways to Support a Loved One Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

It’s hard to know what to say—or what not to say—when someone you love is struggling with depression. You want to help, but you also don’t want to push too hard, make things worse, or offer advice they don’t want.

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, mental health advocate Sam Dylan Finch shares 11 specific, practical ways his loved ones supported him during difficult times. These real-life examples show how small, thoughtful actions can make a big difference in building trust and helping someone feel safe, cared for, and understood.

Whether you’re a friend, family member, or partner, this episode offers guidance you can use right away to support someone you love through depression or another mental health struggle.

🎙️ Primary Topics Covered

11 real-life ways to support someone with depression
Why giving advice often backfires
How to help someone navigate the mental health care system
Maintaining trust even when you don’t agree with their choices
How to support a loved one struggling with substance use
Why checking in matters even after someone “seems better”
Balancing caregiver fatigue with meaningful support
How to reach out when someone doesn’t ask for help

⏱️ Timestamps

What to Say (and Not Say) When Supporting Someone Struggling with Mental Health Jun 22, 2021

Show notes

Supporting a loved one through depression or a mental health crisis can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what to say or how to help. In this episode, Sam Dylan Finch joins us to share five specific, real-life ways that friends and family members have supported him during his darkest times.

From the power of simply listening to taking a team-based approach, Sam offers compassionate, practical strategies anyone can use. These suggestions not only reduce stigma but also remind us that even small, thoughtful actions can make a meaningful difference.

Whether you’re walking alongside a partner, a child, or a friend, this episode gives you the tools and encouragement to show up in ways that truly matter.

Link to Sam's blog post with all 11 suggestions: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/08/24/11-important-ways-my-loved-ones-supported-me-during-a-mental-health-crisis/

Primary Topics Covered:

Why listening is often more powerful than offering advice
The importance of asking what someone actually needs instead of assuming
Simple but powerful acts of practical support (like meals, chores, reminders)
Learning about your loved one’s condition to show respect and reduce stigma
The value of thoughtful, tangible reminders of care
Why a team approach is essential in supporting someone through crisis

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction: Why supporting others through depression matters
01:28 - “Reaching in” vs. “reaching out” during Suicide Prevention Month
02:41 - Sam Dylan Finch on the need for proactive support
03:50 - Tip #1: Listen more than you talk
05:07 - Following their lead instead of trying to “fix”
05:29 - Tip #2: Ask what they need instead of assuming
07:03 - Offering small, helpful distractions as support
08:06 - Practical help: groceries, dishes, and daily needs
09:33 - Asking about basic wellness (sleep, hydration, meds)
09:47 - Tip #3: Learn about your loved one’s mental health condition
10:22 - Respect shown by self-education
10:57 - Tip #4: Give thoughtful, tangible reminders of care
11:07 - Tip #5: Take a team approach to supporting mental health
13:07 - Why the “buddy system” helps both the supporter and the person in crisis
14:18 - Creating a support list: friends, family, hotlines, professionals
14:56 - Crisis Text Line and hotline resources
15:27 - Final reflections: Why listening with an open heart matters most
16:55 - Closing message: Speak up if you’re hurting, listen up if someone else is

Supporting Friends or Loved Ones with Depression: What to Say and Do (According to Experts) Jun 22, 2021

Show notes

Knowing how to support someone you love who is struggling with depression or anxiety can feel overwhelming. What do you say? What’s helpful—and what isn’t? In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, guest Sam Dylan Finch shares five practical, real-life-tested ways people have supported him during his darkest moments. From simple listening to small acts of kindness, these strategies can make a life-saving difference.

If you’ve ever wanted to show up for someone but didn’t know how, this episode offers guidance, compassion, and concrete steps you can take today.

Link to Sam's blog post with all 11 suggestions: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/08/24/11-important-ways-my-loved-ones-supported-me-during-a-mental-health-crisis/

Primary Topics Covered:

Why listening often matters more than advice
The importance of asking instead of assuming needs
Simple but powerful daily support strategies
Why learning about a loved one’s disorder shows respect and care
The value of teamwork in mental health support

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and episode purpose
01:28 - Why reaching in can be as important as reaching out
02:41 - Guest Sam Dylan Finch shares his lived experience
03:50 - Support Strategy #1: Listen more than you talk
05:07 - Support Strategy #2: Ask what’s needed instead of assuming
07:09 - Support Strategy #3: Offer practical help with daily tasks
08:32 - Support Strategy #4: Check in on the basics (food, sleep, meds)
09:33 - Support Strategy #5: Learn about your loved one’s disorder
10:22 - Support Strategy #6: Send tangible reminders of care
11:07 - Support Strategy #7: Take a team approach, don’t go it alone
14:56 - Crisis resources and the importance of backup support
16:55 - Key takeaways: connection, presence, and compassion

Struggling With Depression: How to Ask for Support Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

When you’re struggling with depression, asking for help can feel overwhelming. Too often, advice stops at “reach out if you need support” — but no one gives you the actual words to say.

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, writer and mental health advocate Sam Dylan Finch offers life-saving tools: practical, ready-to-use phrases that make it easier to ask for help. From requesting small acts of support like reminders or meals, to directly saying “I’m suicidal. I need help now,” Sam shares language that bridges the gap between suffering in silence and receiving care.

Whether you’re reaching out to a close friend, a family member, or someone you barely know, this episode provides actionable ways to get the support you need when depression makes speaking up nearly impossible.

Link to Sam's Article: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-ways-to-reach-out-when-youre-struggling-with-your-mental-health/

Link to Sam's Blog: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/archive/

Primary Topics Covered:

Why asking for help with depression feels so hard
Sam Dylan Finch’s personal journey after losing a friend to suicide
Practical scripts and phrases for reaching out
How to ask for small, specific support (chores, meals, reminders)
Requesting affirmation and reminders of your value
Language for when you’re nearing crisis
What to say when reaching out to acquaintances vs close loved ones
Direct language for suicidal moments that saves lives
How stigma and fear of being a burden hold people back
Why words matter: turning silence into connection and survival

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction
01:02 – Why “just ask for help” advice isn’t enough
01:35 – Sam Dylan Finch’s story: loss, grief, and lessons learned
02:22 – The missing piece: not knowing what to say
03:07 – Why practical, ready-to-use language matters
04:08 – Example 6: Asking for small, specific help with daily tasks
05:44 – How small requests build connection and support
06:42 – Example 7: Requesting reminders of your worth and value
07:56 – Affirmation and reminiscing as healing tools
08:21 – Example 8: What to say when nearing your emotional limit
09:21 – Example 9: How to reach out to someone you’re not close with
10:28 – Example 10: Using direct language in a suicidal crisis
11:57 – Breaking stigma: why asking for help isn’t a burden
12:37 – Why clarity in language can save lives
13:34 – How these tools challenge depression’s negative messages
14:33 – Sam’s impact and the importance of his phrasing
15:03 – Closing reflections and encouragement

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