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

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 pu...

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 enc...

Deciding whether to try medication for depression or anxiety can feel overwhelming. How do you know if it’s time to see a psychiatrist? What should you expect from a first visit? And what role do antidepressants really play in treatment? In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , psychiatrist Dr. Jessi Gold joins the conversation to break down the realities of medication as a treatment option...

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....

Trauma doesn’t end with the people who experience it. It can echo across generations, shaping families, communities, and even entire cultures. In this powerful conversation, Mark Powless , a member of the Oneida Nation, shares his story of growing up on a reservation and learning how historical trauma — from boarding schools to cultural erasure — continues to affect Native communities today. We ex...

Trauma doesn’t always end with the person who experiences it. It can be passed down through families, shaping identities, relationships, and even entire communities. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Mark Powless , a member of the Oneida Nation, shares his story of growing up in a Native community still impacted by the historical trauma of boarding schools and cultural erasure. We ex...

Starting mental health conversations with children can feel intimidating—but avoiding them can leave kids unprepared and alone with their struggles. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , guest TJ shares why he chose to talk openly with his son about depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and how those conversations helped build understanding, trust, and resilience. You’ll hear TJ’s powerful stor...

How do you explain depression and anxiety to children in ways they can understand? In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , guest TJ shares his powerful story of living with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD—and why he made the decision to talk openly with his young son about mental health. By breaking silence and stigma, TJ gave his child the tools to recognize emotions, ask...

What happens when traditional therapies don’t work? For many people living with depression, the path to healing isn’t straightforward. In this candid conversation, Renee shares her decades-long depression recovery journey shaped by childhood trauma, failed therapies, and the eventual discovery of support systems that finally helped her heal. From surviving sexual abuse and risky behaviors to disco...

Depression and childhood trauma are deeply connected, but the path to healing is rarely straightforward. Many survivors spend years trying different therapies, medications, and support systems before finding what actually helps. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Renee shares her personal depression recovery journey, shaped by early childhood trauma, failed treatments, and the eventua...

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , singer-songwriter Demetra Prochaska shares how her journey with depression and suicidal thoughts found expression through music. From her teenage years navigating divorce, foster care, and a residential treatment program to writing her haunting song “I’m Not Okay” during the pandemic, Demetra shows how songwriting became both an outlet for pain and a...

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression , musician Demetra Prochaska shares her deeply personal story of living with depression and how songwriting became both a survival tool and a source of hope. From her teenage years marked by family struggles, foster care, and residential treatment, to writing her song “I’m Not Okay” during the isolation of the pandemic, Demetra opens up about...

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , we focus on recognizing the early warning signs of a mental health crisis — and what you can do to prevent it. Guest Corinne shares her deeply personal story of struggling with depression during pregnancy and how reaching out for help saved her life. She introduces a simple “ mental health scale ” that helps her identify when things are worsening bef...

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , we explore how to prevent a mental health crisis before it escalates . Our guest, Corinne, shares her powerful story of reaching out for help during one of her darkest moments — a call that saved her life. She explains the early warning signs of depression and how she uses a simple scale to monitor her mental health before reaching a breaking point....

If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens when you call a suicide prevention hotline , you’re not alone. Fear, stigma, and uncertainty often stop people from reaching out for the help they desperately need. In this episode, journalist Corinne Purtill courageously shares her story of calling a crisis line during one of the darkest moments of her life. She describes the shame, hesitation, and fe...

When you’re struggling with depression, suicidal thoughts, or overwhelming emotions, picking up the phone to call a suicide prevention hotline can feel intimidating. But knowing what to expect can make it easier to take that first step. In this episode, journalist Corinne Purtill shares her powerful personal story of calling a crisis line at one of the darkest points in her life. She opens up abou...

Depression often hides in plain sight — not just in behaviors, but in the words we use every day. Research shows that certain language patterns can signal emotional distress, depression, and deeper mental health struggles. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Bridget and Terry explore the warning signs of depression in everyday language . From Crisis Text Line’s analysis of millions of...

Did you know the words we use every day can reveal whether someone is struggling with depression — or even having suicidal thoughts? In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Bridget and Terry explore how symptoms and signs of depression show up in language . Drawing on research from Crisis Text Line and Dr. Mohammed Al-Masawi, we look at how certain words, phrases, and thinking styles provi...

In this season review, Terri and Bridget reflect on the powerful mental health conversations from Season 16 of Giving Voice to Depression . From learning how breathwork can ground us in overwhelming moments, to confronting stigma, to understanding medication without shame, this season covered a wide range of tools and truths about living with depression. Listeners will hear highlights on: Why brea...

Season 16 of Giving Voice to Depression was filled with raw honesty, practical tools, and powerful insights into living with depression. In this recap, Terri and Bridget highlight the most impactful lessons from the season, offering listeners both validation and hope. The season explored: Breath as a grounding tool to manage overwhelming emotions. Suicidal thoughts as a common, not shameful, part...

The U.S. mental health system is under immense strain. Too many people experiencing depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts face stigma, delayed care, or even criminalization instead of support. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , we speak with Victor Armstrong , Director of North Carolina’s Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse, about the urgent...

The United States is facing a mental health crisis , but too often the people most in need are met with stigma, misunderstanding, or even criminalization instead of care. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , we talk with Victor Armstrong , Director of North Carolina’s Division of Mental Health, about why the system feels broken and what needs to change. Victor explains why depression an...

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , mental health advocate Victor Armstrong takes on the harmful myth that depression is a sign of weakness. He explains how stigma — in families, communities, and churches — adds unnecessary shame and prevents people from getting help. Victor shares his lived experience growing up in the rural South, where mental illness wasn’t openly discussed, and ref...

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression , mental health advocate Victor Armstrong challenges one of the most damaging myths about depression: that it signals weakness or a moral failing. Instead, he reframes living with depression as an act of resilience and courage . From growing up in the rural South, where mental illness was often stigmatized in church and community life, to his...

How can tracking your mental health symptoms actually help you feel better? In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , writer Jennifer Tzeses shares practical ways to track depression, anxiety, and bipolar symptoms —from sleep patterns and mood swings to daily routines and habits. We explore simple tools like journals, rating scales, and apps that make self-monitoring easier and more effectiv...