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

In this special Season 14 review episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Bridget and Terry look back at the powerful stories, expert insights, and lessons shared over the past 13 episodes. From navigating depression during the uncertainty of COVID-19 to breaking stigma, preventing suicide, and planning for wellness, this season brought raw honesty and deep hope. Listeners will hear highlights from...

When life feels overwhelming, having a mental health crisis plan in place can be the difference between spiraling and finding stability. In this episode, we continue our discussion of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and explore how to identify triggers, recognize early warning signs, and create a personalized strategy to protect yourself during difficult moments. With guest Katrina, an ad...

In this episode, we explore the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) —a practical, step-by-step tool designed to help you maintain mental health, recognize early warning signs, and prepare for crises before they happen . Hosts Terry and Bridget are joined by Katrina Coppel, a certified peer specialist and WRAP facilitator , who explains how to create and personalize a mental health plan that works...

Is there hope after a suicide attempt? In this powerful Suicide Prevention Month episode, you’ll hear from people who stood at the very edge of life — convinced they were a burden, that things would never get better, that suicide was their only escape. And yet, today, they’re alive to share their truth: life can change, recovery is possible, and hope is real. These lived-experience voices expose d...

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a reminder that every story shared and every conversation held can help save a life. In this special compilation episode, we revisit some of the most powerful moments from our archives — stories of people who once believed suicide was their only option, and the hope, recovery, and support they found instead. You’ll hear from attempt survivors, mental health ad...

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Bob shares his deeply personal story of surviving a suicide attempt and finding hope through therapy, connection, and support. At 64, he feels stronger than ever — but just five years earlier, depression convinced him he wasn’t enough. Through his candid story, Bob reveals how quickly suicidal thoughts can escalate, how a compassionate nurse...

For many teens and young adults, one of the hardest steps in seeking help is simply saying the words: “I think I’m depressed.” Fear of being dismissed, judged, or misunderstood keeps countless young people suffering in silence. In this episode, psychologist Dr. Anita Sanz offers practical advice for students who are afraid to open up about depression to their parents. You’ll learn how to describe...

How do you know if your child’s irritability, tummy aches, or withdrawal from friends might actually be signs of depression in children ? In this powerful conversation, mental health professional Susan Ringle joins us to share how depression often looks different in kids than adults—and why parents should trust their instincts when something feels “off.” You’ll learn how to recognize childhood dep...

What does depression really feel like? For John, it feels like an attack in his own voice — a relentless, negative inner monologue determined to erase his self-worth. In this deeply moving conversation, he shares what it’s like to grow up hiding depression, self-medicate with alcohol, avoid treatment for decades, and finally begin opening up about his struggles. John’s story offers one of the most...

How do you deal with depression when your mind won’t stop racing? In this episode, Dr. Steven C. Hayes — founder of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — shares practical tools for calming intrusive thoughts, reducing self-criticism, and finding psychological flexibility. Through humor, metaphors, and science-backed strategies, Dr. Hayes explains how naming your mind, playfully reframing negat...

Too often, stigma and misunderstanding keep people living with bipolar disorder in silence and shame. In this episode, mental health advocate Michelle Yang shares her powerful journey from misdiagnosis and crisis to stability, advocacy, and thriving with bipolar disorder. Michelle’s story highlights how stigma—at school, at home, and in the workplace—nearly derailed her life, but also how she foun...

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , we sit down with Michelle Yang , who courageously shares her journey of living with depression and bipolar disorder while growing up in an immigrant family. For over 20 years, Michelle kept her struggles a secret—battling shame, fear, and cultural stigma that prevented her from getting help. She describes the trauma of immigration, the pressure of be...

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a devastating toll on frontline workers — not only physically, but emotionally and mentally. Nurses, doctors, chaplains, and caregivers have carried the burden of loss, isolation, and trauma, often while working without rest or adequate protection. In this episode, chaplain and mindfulness instructor Christy shares her firsthand experience supporting patients, famil...

How do you deal with depression and anxiety when returning to work after working from home? For many, going back to the workplace after months of shutdowns has stirred more than routine — it’s brought fear, exhaustion, and deep uncertainty. In this conversation, therapist Sa'Aire Salton shares what she sees in her clients: people who grew comfortable in their depression during isolation now s...

Depression isn’t always about sadness — sometimes it shows up in the everyday tasks that suddenly feel impossible. Showering, folding laundry, doing dishes, or even picking up medication can feel overwhelming, leaving many people trapped in guilt, shame, and self-blame. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , guest Molly Bacchus introduces the idea of the “impossible task,” a phrase that r...

Could COVID-19 finally change the way we see mental illness? In this timely conversation, psychiatrist Dr. Jessica Gold explores how the pandemic reshaped our understanding of depression, anxiety, and mental health overall. For the first time, many people experienced what it’s like to struggle with concentration, low energy, and overwhelming worry — symptoms that millions live with daily. We discu...

Work can feel overwhelming when depression or anxiety makes even simple tasks difficult. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , writer Sarah Fielding , author of Nine Ways to Motivate Yourself to Work When You’re Struggling Mentally (Healthline), shares practical strategies for staying motivated and managing mental health challenges in the workplace . From celebrating small wins to using...

Finding motivation while struggling with depression can feel impossible. In this episode, writer Sarah Fielding shares practical, compassionate strategies for tackling everyday responsibilities when mental health makes even the smallest tasks feel overwhelming. From starting small to building structure, using lists, and checking in with yourself honestly, this conversation offers gentle yet effect...

Depression isn’t a sign of weakness—it often strikes the strongest among us. Psychiatrist Dr. Tim Cantopher , author of Depressive Illness: The Curse of the Strong , explains why responsible, reliable, and caring people are often most vulnerable to depression. In this conversation, we explore how perfectionism, self-neglect, and relentless responsibility fuel burnout and breakdown. Dr. Cantopher r...

How do you cope with depression and anxiety during a global pandemic? Season 13 of Giving Voice to Depression was recorded in the middle of COVID-19 — a time when mental health challenges were amplified by uncertainty, isolation, and fear. In this season review, Bridget and Terry revisit the most impactful guest stories and expert insights, including: Free online mental health screenings Firsthand...

When depression convinces us we’re alone and disconnected, the practices of mindfulness and self-compassion remind us of our shared humanity and inner strength. In this episode, Dr. Barbara Moser returns to guide us through a grounding practice that helps us reconnect—with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. She explores the three pillars of self-compassion (mindfulness, common h...

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Dr. Barbara Moser—retired physician and suicide prevention advocate—joins us to explore two powerful, evidence-based practices that anyone can use daily: mindfulness and self-compassion . She explains how these free, accessible tools help regulate emotions, reduce stress, and build resilience during challenging times. With practical breathing exercis...

What happens when two people, both living with depression, face the fear of isolating alone during a global lockdown? For Glenn, the thought of sitting at home with his own negative self-talk felt unbearable. His solution was unconventional but life-saving: he moved in with a near-stranger during COVID-19 quarantine. In this candid conversation, Glenn shares the realities of pandemic mental health...

How do you deal with depression in isolation ? In this candid conversation, Hobbs shares how the pandemic amplified his depression — making simple questions like “how are you?” nearly impossible to answer. He describes the exhaustion of constant change, the loneliness of lost routines, and the crushing weight of moods that could shift within hours. Through honesty and reflection, Hobbs reveals the...

The COVID-19 pandemic has left many of us feeling overwhelmed by stress, uncertainty, and fear . In this episode, psychologist and author Dr. Melanie Greenberg shares five powerful, science-based strategies to rewire your brain for calm and resilience during times of crisis. Drawing from her book The Stress-Proof Brain and her Psychology Today article, Dr. Greenberg explains how our brains respond...