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

Coping With Anxiety and Depression: How Alex Found Strength in Honesty

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For years, Alex Brown battled anxiety and depression in silence. Like many, she thought what she was experiencing was “just life” — anger, exhau...

When Depression Steals Your Joy: How to Recognize the Signs and Reclaim Your Life

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to feel “homesick” for yourself before depression? In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Savannah Wall joins us to shar...

Living With Depression: The Heartbreak of Missing Who You Used to Be

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to feel homesick for yourself? Savannah Wall describes depression as being “homesick for the life and the person she used to be.”...

Living With Depression and Anxiety: Tara’s Journey From Panic Attacks to Resilience

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tara has lived with depression and anxiety since childhood — beginning with panic attacks at age four after a traumatic accident. For decades, she c...

Antidepressants and Depression: Breaking Medication Stigma With Michael Landsberg

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Taking medication for depression doesn’t mean you’re weak — it means you’re fighting for your life. In this powerful and candid conversation, ...

Sick Not Weak: Michael Landsberg on Depression, Medication, and Breaking Stigma

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to be sick, not weak? In this candid conversation, broadcaster and mental health advocate Michael Landsberg shares his personal jour...

How to Recover from Depression with Daily Habits and Healthy Routines

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Recovery from depression can feel overwhelming—but small daily habits and consistent routines can make a real difference.In this episode, mental hea...

Depression and PTSD Recovery Journey: From Darkness to Growth with Paul Marlow

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when everything you thought defined you suddenly crumbles? For Paul Marlowe, a former professional athlete and personal trainer, the loss...

Dual Diagnosis Recovery: Living With Depression, Anxiety, and Addiction

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What does it really mean to live with both depression and addiction?In this episode, Don opens up about his decades-long struggle with clinical depres...

New Year Mental Health Resolutions: How to Prioritize Self-Care and Healing

04 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Every January, millions of people make resolutions—only to abandon them weeks later. But what if we shifted the focus from unrealistic goals and sha...

Living With Depression: Real Stories, Recovery, and Hope From the Podcast

28 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Season 19 of Giving Voice to Depression brought together powerful, vulnerable conversations about what it means to live with depression. From learning...

Coping With Depression at Christmas: Finding Hope in the Holidays

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The holidays are painted as a season of joy—but for many living with grief, depression, or loneliness, Christmas can feel unbearably heavy. This spe...

Living with Depression: Tools, Triggers, and the Daily Fight for Recovery

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Depression often feels like trying to fix something broken with something else that’s broken.In this moving episode, Davey shares his raw and honest...

Managing Holiday Stress and Depression: Mental Health Strategies That Work

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The holidays are painted as a season of joy, but for many, they bring stress, grief, and heightened depression. In this conversation with psychologist...

Holiday Depression Is Real: Coping With Anxiety, Grief, and Stress During the Season

23 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The holidays can be an especially painful time when you’re living with depression or anxiety—made even harder by grief, loss, and the lingering ef...

Breaking Cycles of Trauma: Healing, Resilience, and Mental Health in Communities of Color

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful episode, Dr. Maria Innocencia-Amarante shares her journey of growing up in an immigrant family, surviving trauma, and breaking genera...

How Childhood Trauma Shapes Depression—and the Path to Healing

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Trauma doesn’t just fade with time—it changes the way we see ourselves, others, and the world. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Maria Innocencia...

Supporting Veterans’ Mental Health: Coping with PTSD and Depression

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Veterans often face invisible battles long after leaving military service — PTSD, depression, and deep feelings of isolation. But civilians can play...

Veterans and Mental Health: Coping with PTSD, Depression, and Isolation

02 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Veterans face unique mental health challenges — from PTSD and depression to the deep isolation worsened by the pandemic. In this episode of Giving V...

Mental Health Recovery Isn’t Linear: Lacey’s Story of Growth, Relapse, and Strength

26 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Recovery isn’t a checklist—and progress isn’t always forward. In this powerful follow-up to Episode 191, social worker Lacey shares why mental h...

Teenage Depression and Finding Help: The Beginning of Hope in Lacey’s Story

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At 14, Lacey didn’t have the words to describe her depression—just the tears, the withdrawal, and the deep confusion of feeling broken despite a s...

Depression Recovery Journeys: Lessons, Hope, and Support from the Podcast

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Season 18 of Giving Voice to Depression was filled with raw honesty, resilience, and hope. In this review episode, co-hosts Bridget and Terry reflect ...

How to Support a Friend with Depression: Simple Ways That Truly Help

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Supporting a loved one with depression can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t always require grand gestures or complicated interventions. In this ep...

Treatment Trauma in Mental Health: Racism, Stigma, and Finding Culturally Competent Care

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When mental health care itself causes harm, it leaves lasting scars. Dr. Warren Braden, a licensed marriage and family therapist in training, joins Gi...

A Mother’s Story of Suicide Loss: Honoring Her Son and Fighting Depression’s Lies

21 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Suicide is devastating, complex, and deeply misunderstood. In this powerful conversation, Patty Kajawa shares the heartbreaking story of losing her 18...

Teen Suicide Prevention: A Grieving Mother’s Message on Warning Signs and Support

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When someone dies by suicide, the grief is unlike any other. It’s filled with questions, guilt, love, and a desperate wish to understand. In this ep...

From Suicidal Thoughts to Hope: A Personal Story of Depression Recovery

14 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, John shares his deeply personal journey of living with undiagnosed, lifelong depression—and how the p...

Growing Up With Trauma and Depression: A Journey From Silence to Healing

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when you finally put a name to the pain you’ve been carrying for years? For John, acknowledging that what he was experiencing was depre...

How to Manage Depression: Coping Skills, Mood Scales, and the 3-Day Rule

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When depression starts to pull you under, the hardest step is often realizing it’s happening. In this powerful conversation, guest Matt Zinman share...

Depression and Family Trauma: Coping With Bipolar, Suicide Attempts, and Loss

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when mental illness runs in a family? In this deeply moving conversation, Matt Zinman shares his lived experience of growing up with a bi...

Breaking Stigma in Black Communities: Mental Health, Racism, and Culturally Competent Care

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when mental health care—meant to heal—actually causes harm? That harm has a name: treatment trauma.In this episode, Dr. Warren Braden...

What Does Depression Feel Like? Terry’s Honest Story of Living, Healing, and Recovering

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What does it really feel like to live with depression — and how do you fight back against its lies?In this deeply personal episode, Terri, co-host o...

What Living With Depression Teaches Us: What Depression Teaches Us: Self-Awareness, Empathy, and Resilience

03 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What if depression, as soul-crushing as it can be, also offered unexpected lessons that shape who we become?In this powerful episode of Giving Voice t...

Depression Treatments That Work: Finding Hope Through TMS, ECT, and Support

27 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Jennifer returns to share her deeply personal journey of living with major depression for near...

Living with Depression: Coping Strategies, Treatment Challenges, and Finding Hope

20 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Jennifer shares her decades-long journey with severe depression, including the struggle to find effecti...

Coping with Depression, Burnout, and Trauma on the Giving Voice to Depression Podcast

13 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In Season 17 of Giving Voice to Depression, we shared powerful conversations exploring depression, burnout, family and generational trauma, and real-w...

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind: Practical Ways to Improve Mental Health Naturally

06 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Adel Corker shares his personal journey from decades in clinical medicine to becoming a passionate advocate for me...

Helping a Loved One with Mental Illness: 11 Meaningful Ways to Offer Real Support

29 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Supporting someone with depression or another mental health condition can feel overwhelming. What do you say? What do you avoid saying? How do you sho...

How to Help Someone with Depression: Practical Ways to Support a Loved One

29 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s hard to know what to say—or what not to say—when someone you love is struggling with depression. You want to help, but you also don’t wan...

What to Say (and Not Say) When Supporting Someone Struggling with Mental Health

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Supporting a loved one through depression or a mental health crisis can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what to say or how to help...

Supporting Friends or Loved Ones with Depression: What to Say and Do (According to Experts)

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Knowing how to support someone you love who is struggling with depression or anxiety can feel overwhelming. What do you say? What’s helpful—and wh...

Struggling With Depression: How to Ask for Support

15 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you’re struggling with depression, asking for help can feel overwhelming. Too often, advice stops at “reach out if you need support” — bu...

How to Ask for Help When You’re Struggling with Depression

15 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Depression Support: 5 Specific Ways to Ask for the Help You Need

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Being told to “just ask for help” often feels impossible when depression makes words hard to find. In this episode, writer and mental health advoc...

Struggling With Depression? How to Find the Words to Ask for Help

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Being told to “just ask for help” often feels impossible when depression makes words hard to find. In this episode, writer and mental health advoc...

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

01 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

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

01 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

How Family Trauma and Racial Inequities Impact Mental Health and Suicide Risk

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Trony Small shares his family’s journey through trauma, loss, and resilience. Growing up in ...

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

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

Peer Support for Depression: How Online Communities Provide Real Hope

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we explore the healing impact of peer support and online community in managing depression. Through the ...

Depression Help Online: Finding Strength Through Peer Support and Community

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we explore how online peer support groups provide strength, connection, and hope for those living with ...

Antidepressants Explained: When to See a Psychiatrist and What to Expect from Medication

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Medication for depression and anxiety is one of the most debated topics in mental health. Some people credit antidepressants with saving their lives, ...

Depression Treatment Options: Psychiatry, Antidepressants, and Finding the Right Support

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Generational Trauma and Mental Health: Healing Across Cultures and Communities

04 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Trauma doesn’t end with the people who experience it. It can echo across generations, shaping families, communities, and even entire cultures.In thi...

Generational Trauma and Depression: How Historical Pain Affects Mental Health Today

04 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Trauma doesn’t always end with the person who experiences it. It can be passed down through families, shaping identities, relationships, and even en...

How to Talk to Kids About Mental Health: Starting Conversations Early

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Starting mental health conversations with children can feel intimidating—but avoiding them can leave kids unprepared and alone with their struggles....

Children’s Mental Health Matters: How to Explain Depression and Anxiety to Kids

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Depression Recovery Journey: Finding the Right Therapy After Childhood Trauma

20 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when traditional therapies don’t work? For many people living with depression, the path to healing isn’t straightforward. In this can...

Depression and Childhood Trauma: Signs, Symptoms, and Finding Therapy That Works

20 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Depression and childhood trauma are deeply connected, but the path to healing is rarely straightforward. Many survivors spend years trying different t...

Depression and Music: How Songwriting Helps Express Pain and Find Hope

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, singer-songwriter Demetra Prochaska shares how her journey with depression and suicidal thoughts found ...

How Music Helps with Depression: Turning Pain, Anxiety, and Struggles into Songs

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, musician Demetra Prochaska shares her deeply personal story of living with depression and how ...

Recognizing Mental Health Warning Signs: How to Act Before a Crisis Happens

06 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 pr...

How to Prevent a Mental Health Crisis: Early Warning Signs and Coping Strategies

06 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 po...

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Stories of Hope and Recovery

30 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens when you call a suicide prevention hotline, you’re not alone. Fear, stigma, and uncertainty often st...

Suicide Prevention Hotline: What Happens When You Call 988

30 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you’re struggling with depression, suicidal thoughts, or overwhelming emotions, picking up the phone to call a suicide prevention hotline can f...

Warning Signs of Depression in Everyday Language: Words That Reveal Mental Health Struggles

23 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Symptoms and Signs of Depression in Language: Words That Reveal Suicidal Thoughts

23 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Coping with Depression: Breathing, Hope, Medication, and the Mental Health System

16 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this season review, Terri and Bridget reflect on the powerful mental health conversations from Season 16 of Giving Voice to Depression. From learni...

Depression Recovery Tools: Lessons on Hope, Stigma, and Mental Health Treatment

16 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Season 16 of Giving Voice to Depression was filled with raw honesty, practical tools, and powerful insights into living with depression. In this recap...

America’s Mental Health Crisis: Why the System is Failing and How We Can Fix It

09 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. mental health system is under immense strain. Too many people experiencing depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts face stigma, delayed car...

Understanding the Mental Health Crisis: Access to Care, Stigma, Suicide Prevention, and Solutions

09 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The United States is facing a mental health crisis, but too often the people most in need are met with stigma, misunderstanding, or even criminalizati...

The Truth About Depression: Ending Stigma and Shame Around Mental Health

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Depression and Stigma: Why Mental Illness Is Not a Weakness

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, mental health advocate Victor Armstrong challenges one of the most damaging myths about depres...

Tracking Depression and Anxiety Symptoms: Daily Tools for Better Mental Health

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How can tracking your mental health symptoms actually help you feel better? In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, writer Jennifer Tzeses shar...

How to Track Mental Health Symptoms: Tools for Managing Depression and Bipolar Disorder

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Managing mental health starts with awareness. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we talk with writer Jennifer Tzeses about the power of tr...

The Impact of Mental Illness Stigma on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Suicide Risk

16 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Stigma around depression and mental illness is not just about feeling misunderstood—it has life-threatening consequences. In this episode, we conclu...

Mental Health Stigma and Suicide: Why Shame Keeps People from Seeking Help

16 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Stigma is more than an abstract concept—it can mean the difference between life and death. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we explore...

Depression Stigma Explained: Barriers to Help, Healing, and Honest Conversations

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Stigma keeps too many people silent—and too many people suffering. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Terry and Bridget continue their e...

How Mental Health Stigma Harms Recovery and What We Can Do About It

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Stigma is more than a word—it’s a barrier to treatment, recovery, and even survival. In this episode, we continue our series on the stigma of ment...

Ending Mental Health Stigma with Shared Stories of Depression and Recovery

03 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How do we fight mental health stigma in a meaningful way? Research shows it’s not just about education—it’s about connection. In this episode of...

Fighting Mental Health Stigma: Why Lived Experience Beats Textbook Education

02 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Does educating people about mental illness actually reduce stigma? According to Dr. Patrick Corrigan, one of the world’s leading researchers on stig...

Antidepressants and Depression: A Real Conversation About Stigma, Side Effects, and Hope

26 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever struggled with the decision to start antidepressants—or know someone who has—this episode offers honest insights that might ch...

Depression Treatment Explained: How Antidepressants Work and Why They’re Not a Weakness

19 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Why is there still so much resistance to taking antidepressants when they can be life-changing for people living with depression? In this episode of G...

Living with Depression: Coping Strategies and Support When Life Feels Overwhelming

12 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Depression often robs us of hope, making it feel impossible to believe things can get better. In this candid episode of Giving Voice to Depression, li...

Living with Depression and Bipolar II: Kristin’s Story of Survival and Healing Through Art

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What does it really mean to be living with depression and bipolar II?In this intimate rebroadcast, Kristin, a published poet and artist, shares her jo...

Depression Treatment and Recovery: One Man’s Journey from Alcohol Addiction to Helping Others

29 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Jordan shares his deeply personal journey through depression, alcoholism, and recovery. For ye...

Depression and the Holidays: Coping With Christmas When You’re Struggling

24 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For many, Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year. If you’re grieving, battling depression, or simply struggling to make it through the...

How to Talk About Depression: Breaking Shame and Finding Hope in Recovery

22 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For most of his life, Dan lived with depression in silence — hiding his pain from friends, family, and even himself. It wasn’t until a mental heal...

Depression, Anxiety, and Resilience: Mental Health Lessons from the Pandemic

15 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

2020 was a year unlike any other. The pandemic, political division, racial injustice, and social isolation created what mental health professionals ca...

Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Recovery: How Zane Found Humor and Hope

08 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What does it look like to live through bipolar disorder, depression, addiction, and suicidal thoughts—and still find hope?In this episode, comedian ...

Breathing Techniques for Anxiety and Depression: How to Calm Your Mind and Body

01 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Ambrose, a coach specializing in movement, nutrition, and mindfulness, shares how breathwork can be a p...

Coping With Holiday Depression and Anxiety: Real Strategies for Christmas and Beyond

24 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The holiday season can be one of the hardest times of year for those living with depression and anxiety. Expectations of joy and celebration often cla...

Supporting Veterans’ Mental Health: PTSD, Depression, and Suicide Prevention

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How can civilians better support veterans living with PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts?In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, psychiatr...

Veterans and Mental Health: Coping with PTSD, Depression, and Recovery After Service

10 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this Veterans Day conversation, psychiatrist and veteran Dr. Mike McBride joins the podcast to discuss the unique mental health challenges facing t...

Growing Up with a Parent Who Has Mental Illness: Coping and Healing Strategies

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Millions of children grow up with a parent struggling with depression or another mental illness. This episode explores the hidden impact parental ment...

Guided Self-Compassion Meditation for Stress, Anxiety, and Emotional Healing

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Dr. Barbara Moser—trained in Mindful Self-Compassion and a passionate mental health advocate—...

How to Stop Negative Self-Talk: Replacing Self-Criticism with Self-Compassion

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us would never speak to a friend the way we speak to ourselves. Yet for people living with depression, negative self-talk and constant self-cr...

Practical Mindfulness Exercises for Stress Relief, Anxiety, and Depression

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Dr. Barbara Moser—a retired physician and suicide prevention advocate—guides us through practical, ...

How to Deal with Depression in Isolation: Coping with Exhaustion, Loneliness, and Change

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How do you deal with depression in isolation?In this powerful conversation, Hobbs shares how the pandemic amplified his depression, turning simple che...

Suicide Prevention and Depression Support: Insights on Stigma, COVID-19 Stress, and Recovery Planning

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this special Season 14 review episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Bridget and Terry look back at the powerful stories, expert insights, and less...