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

Latest Episodes:

How to Ask for Help When You’re Struggling with Depression Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

Asking for help sounds simple — but when you’re struggling with depression, it can feel nearly impossible. Too often, we’re told “reach out if you need help,” without being given the language or tools to actually do it.

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, mental health advocate and writer Sam Dylan Finch shares practical, real-world phrases anyone can use when depression makes it difficult to ask for support. From small requests like asking a loved one to help with daily tasks, to urgent language for suicidal moments, Sam provides life-saving tools to bridge the gap between suffering in silence and reaching out for help.

This conversation reminds us that needing help is not weakness — and that having words ready can make the difference between isolation and connection, despair and survival.

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

Link to Sam's blog: letsqueerthingsup.com/tag/mental-health/

Primary Topics Covered:

Why asking for help with depression feels so difficult
Sam Dylan Finch’s journey after losing a friend to suicide
Practical phrases and scripts for reaching out when you’re struggling
How to ask for small, specific kinds of support (meals, chores, reminders)
Asking for affirmation and reminders of your value
Language to use when you’re nearing a crisis point
What to say when reaching out to someone you’re not very close to
The critical importance of directly saying, “I’m suicidal. I need help now.”
How stigma and self-doubt keep people from speaking up
Why having ready-to-use words can save lives

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction
01:02 – Why “just ask for help” advice often falls short
01:35 – Sam Dylan Finch’s story: loss, grief, and reflection
02:22 – Why not knowing what to say prevents people from reaching out
03:07 – The need for practical language when support systems fall short
04:08 – Example 6: Asking for help with specific daily tasks
05:44 – Why small requests benefit both the person struggling and their supporter
06:42 – Example 7: Asking loved ones to remind you of your value
07:56 – Reminiscing and affirmation as healing tools
08:21 – Example 8: Language for when you’re nearing your limit
09:21 – Example 9: Reaching out to someone you don’t know well
10:28 – Example 10: Direct language for suicidal crisis
11:57 – Challenging stigma: why asking for help isn’t a burden
12:37 – Why clear, direct words can save a life
13:34 – How using these tools can reframe depression’s negative messages
14:33 – Sam’s impact and why his phrasing resonates
15:03 – Closing reflections and support reminders

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/

Depression Support: 5 Specific Ways to Ask for the Help You Need Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

Being told to “just ask for help” often feels impossible when depression makes words hard to find. In this episode, writer and mental health advocate Sam Dylan Finch shares five practical, compassionate scripts anyone can use to reach out for support.

Sam’s insights come from lived experience—he’s both a suicide attempt survivor and someone who has lost loved ones to suicide. He explains why vague advice isn’t enough, and why specific, actionable language is key to breaking isolation and getting through the hardest moments.

Whether you’re struggling yourself or want to better support someone you love, this episode provides real-world tools that make asking for help less intimidating and more effective.

Link to Sam's list: 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/tag/mental-health/

Primary Topics Covered

Why vague advice to “just ask for help” doesn’t work
Sam Dylan Finch’s journey as a suicide loss and attempt survivor
5 practical scripts for reaching out during depression
Asking for company when you feel unsafe or alone
How distraction can be a lifeline when you’re not ready to talk
Why check-ins and consistency build safety
Breaking stigma around needing emotional support
The importance of peer and community care in recovery

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Giving Voice to Depression
01:02 - Social media posts that inspire peer support
02:29 - Meet Sam Dylan Finch: writer, advocate, suicide survivor
03:06 - Why Sam wrote “10 Ways to Reach Out When Struggling”
03:54 - Losing a friend to suicide and lessons learned
04:42 - Why loved ones—not only clinicians—are vital in crisis
05:20 - Normalizing the need to ask for help
06:03 - Script #1: “I don’t want to be alone”
07:00 - Script #2: “What I’ve been trying isn’t working—can we make a plan?”
08:46 - Script #3: “I don’t feel safe—can you stay on the phone or come over?”
09:39 - Script #4: “I’m in a bad place but not ready to talk. Can you distract me?”
11:49 - Script #5: “Can you check in with me (on a specific schedule)?”
13:36 - Why connection and visibility matter in recovery
14:48 - Early check-ins as prevention against crisis escalation
15:13 - Closing reflections and preview of Part 2

Struggling With Depression? How to Find the Words to Ask for Help Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

Whether you’re struggling yourself or want to better support someone you love, this episode provides real-world tools that make asking for help less intimidating and more effective.

Link to Sam's list: 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/tag/mental-health/

Primary Topics Covered

Why vague advice to “just ask for help” doesn’t work
Sam Dylan Finch’s journey as a suicide loss and attempt survivor
5 practical scripts for reaching out during depression
Asking for company when you feel unsafe or alone
How distraction can be a lifeline when you’re not ready to talk
Why check-ins and consistency build safety
Breaking stigma around needing emotional support
The importance of peer and community care in recovery

Timestamps

Depression or Burnout? Signs, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

Do you ever wonder if you’re just burned out — or if what you’re experiencing is actually depression? Psychiatrist Dr. Jessi Gold, an expert on physician burnout and mental health, helps us understand the critical differences between the two and why it matters.

In this episode, Dr. Gold explains how burnout and depression overlap, how to recognize the warning signs of each, and the risks if burnout is left unaddressed. She also shares her personal journey of realizing she was burned out during the pandemic, even as a mental health professional, and what helped her recover.

Whether you’re struggling with workplace stress, emotional exhaustion, or clinical depression, this conversation offers clarity and actionable tools for healing.

Links to articles referenced in episode: https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2021/03/04/physician-burnout-covid-19-pandemic-jessi-gold

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html

Primary Topics Covered

What “languishing” means and how it fits between burnout and depression
Dr. Jessi Gold’s personal experience with burnout during the pandemic
The key differences between burnout and depression
How burnout can increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts
Why self-compassion and rest are essential to recovery
Practical coping strategies, including “chunking” overwhelming tasks
How to listen to your body and set boundaries to protect your mental health

Timestamps

00:01 – Introduction: languishing, burnout, and depression
02:30 – Dr. Jessi Gold shares her personal burnout story
05:15 – Even mental health experts miss burnout warning signs
07:20 – Burnout as a workplace issue vs. depression as a medical condition
08:45 – Key symptoms of depression vs. burnout
11:00 – The impact of burnout and depression on relationships
12:45 – Giving yourself patience and grace during recovery
13:40 – Listening to your body and recognizing limits
14:30 – Why coping skills must be tailored to each person
16:00 – Self-care as rest, not another task on your to-do list
18:20 – Closing thoughts and resources

Understanding Burnout vs Depression: Expert Insights on Stress, Exhaustion, and Recovery Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

Many of us feel exhausted, drained, and overwhelmed—especially in times of high stress. But how do you know if what you’re experiencing is burnout or depression? Psychiatrist Dr. Jessi Gold, an expert on physician burnout and mental health, joins us to explain the difference, why it matters, and how to care for yourself before burnout turns into something more serious.

This episode explores the overlap between workplace exhaustion and clinical depression, common signs of each, and practical coping tools. Dr. Gold also shares her own story of realizing she was burned out—even as a mental health professional—and the lessons she’s learned about rest, boundaries, and self-compassion.

If you’ve been asking yourself, “Am I burned out, or is this depression?”, this conversation will help you better understand your experience and take steps toward healing.

Links to articles referenced in episode: https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2021/03/04/physician-burnout-covid-19-pandemic-jessi-gold

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html

Primary Topics Covered:

The concept of “languishing” and how it relates to burnout
Dr. Gold’s personal experience recognizing her own burnout
The key differences between burnout and depression
Why burnout increases the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts
How self-compassion and rest are vital forms of self-care
Coping tools: chunking life into smaller, manageable pieces
Why listening to your body and setting boundaries is crucial

Timestamps:

00:01 – Introduction to languishing and the spectrum of mental health
02:30 – Dr. Jessi Gold’s personal story of burnout during the pandemic
05:15 – How even mental health experts can miss the signs of burnout
07:20 – Burnout as a workplace issue and how it differs from depression
08:45 – Symptoms of depression vs. burnout explained
11:00 – The challenge of relationships when you feel burned out
12:45 – Practicing patience and grace with yourself
13:40 – Listening to your body and adjusting your workload
14:30 – Why coping skills must be personalized, not one-size-fits-all
16:00 – Self-care as rest, not just more items on a to-do list
18:20 – Closing thoughts, resources, and upcoming episodes

How Family Trauma and Racial Inequities Impact Mental Health and Suicide Risk May 25, 2021

Show notes

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Trony Small shares his family’s journey through trauma, loss, and resilience. Growing up in Milwaukee with a mother living with cerebral palsy, Trony and his brothers experienced discrimination, instability, and profound grief after their mother’s death. When his younger brother Justin was later diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, stigma and lack of resources made getting help difficult. Justin’s eventual suicide left a lasting impact, fueling Trony’s mission to support other families navigating mental health challenges.

This conversation explores the ways family trauma, cultural silence, and systemic inequities intersect—and how breaking stigma, increasing resources, and starting honest conversations can save lives.

Link to video with more information: https://www.facebook.com/2016557181923354/posts/2948490168730046/?d=n

MHA of WI's Next Step Clinic: http://www.mhawisconsin.org/mha-wi-counseling-clinic

Primary Topics Covered:

The impact of family trauma and generational silence on mental health
Growing up with poverty, discrimination, and instability
Grieving a parent’s death at a young age
The effects of unaddressed trauma on siblings and family dynamics
Stigma and cultural barriers in Black communities around mental health
A brother’s struggle with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and suicide
How lack of resources and systemic inequities worsen outcomes
Finding hope through advocacy, education, and breaking silence

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and theme of family trauma
01:31 - How trauma shapes family dynamics and belonging
02:27 - Growing up in Milwaukee with poverty and discrimination
03:42 - The loss of Trony’s mother and its impact on his family
05:00 - Prayer as the family’s response to trauma instead of open discussion
06:05 - Writing a poem about his brothers and their mother’s legacy
07:22 - How the youngest brother, Justin, was most affected by loss
08:12 - Early signs of Justin’s struggles and the family’s response
09:12 - Learning about mental illness through NAMI and conversations with Justin
10:40 - Justin’s diagnosis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
11:34 - His death by suicide at age 23
12:03 - The need for better family and community support
13:06 - Barriers to mental health care in underserved communities
14:39 - Trony’s work today helping families access treatment and resources
15:22 - Closing reflections and advocacy for change

Living with Family Trauma: Stories of Loss, Mental Illness, and Healing in Black Communities May 25, 2021

Show notes

Family trauma doesn’t just affect one person — it ripples through generations, shaping identities, relationships, and opportunities for healing.

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Trony Small shares his family’s story of growing up in Milwaukee with poverty, discrimination, and loss. After the death of his mother, Trony and his brothers faced instability, grief, and stigma that made conversations about mental health nearly impossible. When his youngest brother Justin was later diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, the family struggled to navigate a system with limited resources and cultural barriers to care. Justin’s death by suicide at 23 left a lasting impact and inspired Trony to help other families facing similar challenges.

This moving conversation highlights the intersections of family trauma, racial inequities, and mental health stigma—and reminds us that storytelling, advocacy, and community support are vital parts of healing.

Link to video with more information: https://www.facebook.com/2016557181923354/posts/2948490168730046/?d=n

MHA of WI's Next Step Clinic: http://www.mhawisconsin.org/mha-wi-counseling-clinic

Primary Topics Covered:

The impact of family trauma and silence on mental health
Growing up with poverty, discrimination, and systemic inequities
Coping with the loss of a parent at a young age
How stigma and cultural silence affect conversations about mental illness
A brother’s struggle with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and suicide
The role of NAMI and education in understanding mental illness
Barriers to accessing quality mental health care in underserved communities
Turning grief into advocacy and support for other families

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: family trauma and mental health
01:31 – How trauma shaped Trony’s childhood and family dynamics
02:27 – Growing up in Milwaukee amid poverty and discrimination
03:42 – The loss of his mother and its lasting impact
05:00 – Prayer and silence instead of open discussions about trauma
06:05 – Writing poetry as a way to process pain
07:22 – How Justin, the youngest brother, was most deeply affected
08:12 – Early signs of mental illness and the family’s struggles to respond
09:12 – Learning through NAMI about schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
10:40 – Justin’s diagnosis and challenges navigating treatment
11:34 – His death by suicide at 23
12:03 – The importance of family and community support
13:06 – Systemic barriers to mental health care for Black families
14:39 – Trony’s advocacy and mission to help other families
15:22 – Closing reflections on healing and change

Peer Support for Depression: How Online Communities Provide Real Hope May 18, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we explore the healing impact of peer support and online community in managing depression. Through the powerful stories of Bea and Debbie, listeners hear how reaching out—even to strangers online—can provide connection, hope, and life-saving encouragement during the darkest moments.

From tattoos symbolizing love, life, and sorrow, to messages that pulled someone back from the brink of suicide, these lived experiences highlight that sometimes the most meaningful help doesn’t come from professionals, but from people who have “been there” too.

Whether you’re seeking support or wondering how to offer it, this conversation reveals how empathy, kindness, and a few heartfelt words can make all the difference.

Primary Topics Covered:

Why peer support is critical for people with depression
The role of online communities in reducing stigma and isolation
Real-life stories of support during moments of crisis
How empathy and lived experience can save lives
Encouragement for reaching out and responding when someone is struggling

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and hosts
01:00 - The importance of asking for and offering support
02:00 - How a Facebook community stepped up to support struggling members
03:30 - Bea’s story: life, love, sorrow, and finding connection online
05:00 - The value of empathy in mental health struggles
07:20 - How support helped Bea through her husband’s sudden death
09:00 - Debbie’s story: reaching out during a suicidal crisis
11:30 - Why lived experience matters more than clinical advice in certain moments
13:30 - The lifesaving impact of online support and encouragement
15:00 - Reflection: the human need for connection and peer support
17:00 - Closing thoughts and invitation to join the community

Depression Help Online: Finding Strength Through Peer Support and Community May 18, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we explore how online peer support groups provide strength, connection, and hope for those living with depression. Guests Bea and Debbie share deeply personal stories of how community and lived experience offered them comfort and even saved lives during times of despair.

From messages that pulled someone back from suicidal thoughts to the ongoing encouragement of strangers who “get it,” this conversation shows the real impact of peer support for depression. Sometimes, the most powerful help doesn’t come from professionals, but from people who have walked the same road and are willing to listen, validate, and stand beside you.

If you’ve ever wondered how to find depression help online or how to be there for someone who’s struggling, this episode offers practical insight, encouragement, and hope.

Primary Topics Covered:

The role of online communities in coping with depression
How peer support reduces stigma and isolation
Bea’s story: grief, love, and finding strength through connection
Debbie’s story: how an online message prevented suicide
Why lived experience matters in supporting mental health
The healing power of empathy, validation, and being heard
Encouragement for reaching out and offering support

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and hosts
01:00 - Why asking for and offering support matters
02:00 - Online communities as safe spaces for depression support
03:30 - Bea’s story: tattoos, grief, and the importance of connection
05:00 - The role of empathy in mental health struggles
07:20 - How community helped Bea after her husband’s sudden death
09:00 - Debbie’s story: reaching out during a suicidal crisis
11:30 - The lifesaving impact of simple, caring words
13:30 - Why lived experience support differs from clinical advice
15:00 - Reflections on connection, hope, and peer support
17:00 - Closing thoughts and invitation to join the conversation

Antidepressants Explained: When to See a Psychiatrist and What to Expect from Medication May 11, 2021

Show notes

Medication for depression and anxiety is one of the most debated topics in mental health. Some people credit antidepressants with saving their lives, while others avoid them out of fear or stigma. In this candid conversation, psychiatrist Dr. Jessi Gold joins the Giving Voice to Depression podcast to break down the realities of seeing a psychiatrist, starting medication, and managing expectations. We discuss how to know when it’s time to consider meds, common side effects, treatment myths, and why combining therapy with medication is often most effective.

Whether you’re hesitant about antidepressants, already taking them, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers clarity, honesty, and hope.

Primary Topics Covered:

Misconceptions and stigma surrounding antidepressants
When it’s time to see a psychiatrist
What happens at a first psychiatric visit
Side effects and how to manage them
The reality of waiting for medications to work
Why therapy + medication can be the most effective treatment
The difference between feeling “different” vs. being “overmedicated”
Treatment-resistant depression and what it means

Timestamps:

00:05 - Introduction to the episode
01:02 - Meme that captures the antidepressant debate
01:31 - Why antidepressants are controversial
01:52 - Considering meds for depression or anxiety
02:28 - Dr. Jessi Gold joins the conversation
03:15 - When people typically seek a psychiatrist
03:38 - Therapy plus medication: a powerful combination
04:11 - Signs it’s time to consider meds
05:14 - What to expect from a first psychiatric visit
06:14 - Stigma and resistance around psychiatry
07:17 - Why antidepressants take time to work
08:05 - Common side effects and how people manage them
08:56 - Do antidepressants actually work?
09:53 - Will medication change my personality?
11:02 - Comparing meds vs. untreated depression
11:22 - Concerns about being on medication long-term
12:34 - Misconceptions about “treatment-resistant” depression
14:14 - Why a pill isn’t a magic fix
14:59 - Therapy’s role alongside medication
16:24 - The goal isn’t constant happiness—it's balance
17:20 - Bridget shares her own med experience
17:47 - Terry reflects on her own medication journey
18:15 - Psychiatry as “throwing darts in the dark”
18:37 - Gratitude for Dr. Gold’s insights
18:53 - Closing thoughts and invitation to connect online

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