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

In part two of his conversation with Giving Voice to Depression , musician, author, and activist Andre Henry continues sharing how creativity, self-compassion, and community have helped him survive depression and suicidal thoughts. Following his song “Make It to Tomorrow” , Andre walks listeners through the tools that keep him grounded — self-hugs, breathing exercises, and reframing shame into sel...

When everything feels unbearable, how do you keep going?  In this deeply moving conversation, musician and author Andre Henry shares how writing his song “Make It To Tomorrow” helped him survive one of his darkest moments. Growing up in the Black community, Andre faced the silence and stigma surrounding mental health. Through his art, he began to name his pain — transforming suicidal thoughts into...

A new year often brings the pressure to reinvent ourselves — to lose weight, quit bad habits, or be more productive. But what if this year, your most important resolution was simply to take better care of your mental health ? In this insightful Giving Voice to Depression episode, psychologist and author Dr. Margaret Rutherford joins Terry McGuire and Bridget to talk about setting mental health res...

The holidays can be painful for anyone carrying grief, loss, or depression — especially in a world that insists on constant cheer.  In this special annual episode of Giving Voice to Depression , author John Pavlovitz reads his essay “To Those Who Struggle This Christmas” — a heartfelt message to anyone who feels broken, lonely, or unseen this time of year. His compassionate words acknowledge every...

The holiday season can bring warmth, connection, and joy — but it can also trigger deep stress, loneliness, and depression. In this insightful conversation, Dr. Anita Sanz , psychologist and board member for Giving Voice to Depression , joins hosts Terry McGuire and Bridget to talk about how to navigate the holidays with compassion and balance . Using a surprising lens — Ebenezer Scrooge — Dr. San...

In this special episode of Giving Voice to Depression , hosts Terry McGuire and her sister and former co-host Bridget Shore introduce a simple, science-backed tool that anyone can use to calm their nervous system and ease symptoms of depression or anxiety — EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) , also known as tapping . They’re joined by Brad Yates , one of the world’s most recognized EFT practitioner...

The holidays are marketed as “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for millions struggling with depression, anxiety, and burnout , the season can feel more overwhelming than joyful. In this special Giving Voice to Depression episode, Terry McGuire and Dr. Anita Sanz discuss how to manage emotional overload and protect your mental health amid unrealistic expectations, family pressures, and fin...

The holidays are often portrayed as a time of joy, connection, and celebration—but for many living with depression or grief, this season can feel unbearably heavy. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , host Terry McGuire and psychologist Dr. Anita Sanz speak with grief expert Krista St-Germain about how to navigate the emotional complexities of the holiday season when you’re struggling w...

Michelle is a mom living with depression, anxiety, and ADHD — and raising children diagnosed with OCD, ADHD, and DMDD. In this candid and compassionate episode, she describes how she juggles emotional overwhelm, fights toxic productivity, and clings to small moments of self-care. You’ll hear real strategies from her therapy sessions, how she recognizes early signs of a crash, and why talking to yo...

In this deeply moving episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Cara from Belfast, Northern Ireland , opens up about her journey through years of darkness — from living with untreated depression as a teen to finally finding validation, healing, and light through therapy. Cara describes depression not as constant sadness but as a suffocating grayness — a loss of color, motivation, and meaning. After...

After years of living with depression — through countless ups, downs, and failed treatment attempts — Caryn finally found light again. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , she opens up for the first time about what it’s like to live with treatment-resistant depression , the exhaustion of constantly “trying,” and the unexpected relief that came when she finally found the right therapist...

This episode of Giving Voice to Depression features  licensed therapist Carolina Bracco and a candid conversation about the profound, long-term effects of growing up with emotionally immature or overly critical parents .  Co-hosts Terry McGuire and Carly McCollow explore this often-overlooked area of childhood experience, highlighting how these parental patterns can contribute to depression and sh...

Depression in older adults is one of the most under-discussed — and most misunderstood — mental health challenges today. In this moving episode of Giving Voice to Depression , 93-year-old Mary shares what it’s like to experience depression in later life — when most of her peers have passed away, her body feels unfamiliar, and her generation still believes that “you just don’t talk about those thin...

When someone you love is struggling with depression, anxiety, or addiction , knowing how to help can be agonizing — especially when every attempt seems to fail. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , licensed psychotherapist and professional interventionist Evan Jarschauer explains what real mental health interventions look like — far from the dramatic TV versions that oversimplify the pr...

When depression makes it hard to get out of bed, eat, or even believe things will ever get better, a loving pet can be a lifeline. In this moving episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Lori shares how her dogs helped her survive and heal after divorce and severe depression . Lori describes days spent “swimming through mud,” unable to function—until her dogs gave her a reason to get up, go outside...

The grief that follows a suicide is unlike any other. It’s layered with guilt, confusion, trauma, and the persistent question: Why? In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression , guest Lisa Sugarman shares her journey after losing her father, cousin, and close friend to suicide — and what she’s learned about navigating the unique and complex grief that follows. Lisa offers deeply persona...

After a suicide, words can either comfort and connect — or cut and cause more pain . In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression , journalist and suicide loss survivor Deb Sherwood shares her personal experience navigating the unthinkable grief following her husband’s death by suicide — and the devastating impact of well-intentioned but hurtful comments from doctors, therapists, and fri...

Award-winning journalist and author Meg Kissinger joins Giving Voice to Depression to share the extraordinary and heartbreaking story behind her memoir “While You Were Out.” In her conversation with Terry McGuire and Carly McCollow , Meg opens up about growing up in a large family marked by bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression —as well as two sibling deaths by suicide . She explores how...

Award-winning journalist and author Meg Kissinger joins Giving Voice to Depression to share the extraordinary and heartbreaking story behind her memoir “While You Were Out.” In her conversation with Terry McGuire and Carly McCollow , Meg opens up about growing up in a large family marked by bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression —as well as two sibling deaths by suicide . She explores how...

In this deeply human episode of Giving Voice to Depression , John , a survivor of a suicide attempt, shares his ongoing struggle with self-forgiveness — and what healing looks like when you’re still learning to forgive yourself. While many conversations about suicide focus on grief or prevention, John opens up about what comes after survival : the guilt, shame, and lingering belief that he doesn’t...

What happens when mental health and addiction collide? In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , David Shamszad shares his raw and revealing story of living with bipolar disorder and alcohol addiction — a combination often referred to as a dual diagnosis . From self-medicating through college to hospitalization, reckless mania, and rock bottom, David opens up about how stigma, shame, and sil...

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Dr. Barbara Moser, a trained teacher in mindful self-compassion, shares three simple yet powerful practices you can use anytime to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. These tools are free, backed by credible research, and require no appointment, transportation, or side effects. From mindful breathing to the STOP method and a self-compassion br...

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Kevin Lepine shares his deeply personal journey of growing up misunderstood, bullied, and isolated — experiences that fueled his depression long before he had words to describe it. He opens up about the pain of being unseen, living with undiagnosed ADD, and the crushing loneliness that often comes with both bullying and depression. Kevin also discuss...

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , we revisit the powerful story of author and advocate Rebecca Lombardo , who has openly shared her struggles with bipolar disorder, depression, and suicidality. Now 10 years removed from her last hospitalization and self-harm attempt, Rebecca reflects on her growth, resilience, and the coping strategies that have helped her heal. She discusses the imp...

In this intimate, unscripted conversation, Giving Voice to Depression hosts Terry McGuire and her daughter Carly McCollow open up about their personal experiences with depression across generations. They reflect on how genetics, trauma, and family silence shape mental health — and why speaking openly can break cycles of shame and stigma. Listeners will hear stories about childhood anxiety, gratitu...