Giving Voice to Depression

You do not have to go through this global healthcare crisis alone. Mental Health America has created and curated trusted and current mental-health information and online self-help resources from a network of reliable sources. Links below for free, confidential screenings to determine the effects this pandemic is having on your mental health, and to access individualized support recommendations. ht...

If you've ever wondered what a podcast on depression sounds and feels like, in just 18 minutes, you can sample 12 episodes of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast in this season in review. From the power of breath, to how to talk to a suicidal friend, the need for hope, and how the pandemic has challenged our mental health on many levels to the fact depression is an illness vs a weakness and oth...

If you've ever wondered what a podcast on depression sounds and feels like, in just 18 minutes, you can sample 12 episodes of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast in this season in review.

We learned this week that even Royals are impacted by stigma and discrimination when seeking help and treatment for mental-health challlenges and suicidal thoughts. From access, affordability, representation, discrimination and other factors, even when someone recognizes the need for help, they don't or can't necessarlly get it. In the second of two conversations with mental-health advocate Victor...

We learned this week that even Royals are impacted by stigma and discrimination when seeking help and treatment for mental-health challlenges and suicidal thoughts. From access, affordability, representation, discrimination and other factors, even when someone recognizes the need for help, they don't or can't necessarlly get it. In the second of two conversations with mental-health advocate Victor...

How and why is it a common misconception that people with depression are weak? Imagine starting your day in a pit. Imagine battling the darkest of convincing thoughts playing non-stop in your head. Imagine having to convince yourself there is hope when your own mind is working against you. We can assure you, while it may look like "giving in" or "laziness" from the outside, it is a very different...

How and why is it a common misconception that people with depression are weak? Imagine starting your day in a pit. Imagine battling the darkest of convincing thoughts playing non-stop in your head. Imagine having to convince yourself there is hope when your own mind is working against you. We can assure you, while it may look like "giving in" or "laziness" from the outside, it is a very different...

If, like us, you're mental-health tools are a little worn out with the pandemic and other stressors and challenges of the past year, the idea of tracking your symptoms might be worth exploring. Notes can give us an objective, quantifiable way to recognize changes in our mental health. And the information could help professionals and other members of our support team, too. The information could als...

If, like us, you're mental-health tools are a little worn out with the pandemic and other stressors and challenges of the past year, the idea of tracking your symptoms might be worth exploring. Notes can give us an objective, quantifiable way to recognize changes in our mental health. And the information could help professionals and other members of our support team, too. The information could als...

What if... when depression reached the point you could no longer ignore it, or anxiety reached a level it interfered with your life, you could react the same way you would if any other part of your body was creating a problem for you? You'd mention it to a friend. You'd call your doctor. You'd feel free to say "this hurts!" But when the part "not working" is our brains, we feel embarrassed or asha...

In the third of our 3-part series on how ignorance and discrimination (i.e. stigma) affect people with mental-health conditions, we look at how our lives would be better and safer if mental health was treated like physical health is.

"The stigma of mental illness" What does that really mean? Is it a real thing? Does it matter? YES! Stigma is very real and the fact people are judged (and/or fear being judged) for having a mental-health diagnosis discourages many from seeking help or treatment. This short (15-minute) podcast is the 2nd in an 3-part series on stigma. Depression is not a choice. Ignorance and discrimination are.

The phrase "stigma of mental illness" is at once overused and not understood. What does it mean? Why does it matter? Why should I care? In the second of a 3-part series on how negative associations with mood disorder diagnoses negatively impact those of us who live with them, we ask a number of past guests if stigma is evident to them, and if so, in what ways.

We've all heard the phrase "stigma of mental illness." But what does it mean and how can "fight it?" One of the world's leading researchers in the matter, Dr. Patrick Corrigan, says the most-effective way is by speaking openly and shamelessly about what's going on in our minds and bodies. Corrigan lives with and manages a number of mental-health challenges, and when he and others (like our podcast...

We've all heard the phrase "stigma of mental illness." But what does it mean and how can "fight it?" One of the world's leading researchers in the matter, Dr. Patrick Corrigan, says the most-effective way is by speaking openly and shamelessly about what's going on in our minds and bodies. Corrigan lives with and manages a number of mental-health challenges, and when he and others (like our podcast...

Today's guest, Michael Landsberg, founder of SickNotWeak, "a statement, a community, a movement," discusses the role antidepressants have had in his mental-health journey. Does he like being on meds? No. Does he like their side effects? No. Does he hate his depression more? Absolutely! Listen in as two mental-health advocates discuss the role meds have had in their depression-management and how to...

One of depression's most insidious characteristics, is its intent to convince us we don't have it; that our dark thoughts, loss of energy, and inability to experience joy are personal characteristics and failings vs. symptoms-- that we are just too weak to handle life the way others are able to. Believing that dissuades us from treating it like a medical condition for which there are treatments. B...

A holistic therapist addresses the need for and importance ot hope, and offers some of the advice she gives her own clients. Lauren Bittner, who has extensive experience treating anxiety, depression and addiction, speaks compassionately and realistically about the challenges of being human in 2021. https://lauren1bittner.wixsite.com/instillhope

It can be very, very difficult to acknowledge or find, but some say there are gifts in our depression: "terrible gifts." Depression is, to put it mildly, an unwanted guest in our minds and bodies. Yet, for those who experience it regularly, it can help to look for some value, some lessons or even inspiration in the experience. Kristin "owns her shadow," and uses depression's voice to express herse...

No matter how dark a place you are or have been, and how alone you felt when you were there, there are others who have had similar experiences and made it out. By sharing their stories/experiences they also light a path out for us to follow. Jordan is one such person. He freely shares about his lowest points, knowing that his lived experience is a way to connect with others and show them that reco...

If you are struggling this holiday season, with depression, loneliness, grief or anything else that really hurts, please know that many others feel the same way, and that you will not always feel the way you do today. If you live in the U.S., please call 800-273-8255 or text 741-741 and talk to a trained listener, if you do not have another option. If you live elsewhere, please Google "crisis line...

Hearing the stories of how other people survive and manage life with depression inspired Dan, a GVTD podcast listener to reach out to share- for the first time publicly- about his own battle with depression, his hospitalization and more. In a wide-ranging, candid, casual conversation, he offers his comments in the hopes of both thanking the people who helped him, and to offer support and hope to t...

2020 challenged us on many levels including economic, political, social justice, overall health and mental health. Licensed psychologist R. Kweku Smith joins us for a look back-- while also focusing on what we can do to maintain or restore our mental health as we try to recover and move on from this unprecedented year.

In one of the most unvarnished, unstigmatized discussions we've had to date, rapper/comedian Zane Thomas tackles everything from helping a suicidal friend to how substance use has impacted his mental health, and how talking back to depression and finding ways to laugh at his diagnosis help him cope. We talk about depression and suicidal thoughts like they're common. Because for many of us, they ar...

The list of things that feel or are out of our control right now is long. But for most of us, breath is something we can access anytime and breathing consciously is a quick, free and effective form of meditation. Our guest, Ambrose WB, joined us for a casual, honest and potentially-healing conversation about taking and keeping control during this pandemic, and any other time. 19-minute episode. ht...