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

In this special Season Six Review of Giving Voice to Depression, co-hosts Brigitte and Terri reflect on the most powerful moments and lessons shared across the season. Through deeply personal and inspiring first-person accounts, this episode highlights resilience, healing, and the critical importance of support in coping with depression.

From the hidden toll of trauma on first responders, to navigating guilt, grief, and suicide prevention, listeners will hear authentic stories of courage and community. You’ll also learn practical ways to check in on loved ones, reduce stigma, and offer meaningful support—whether online or in person.

If you’re seeking hope, connection, or resources for mental health and suicide prevention, this recap provides a roadmap of episodes that can help you or someone you love feel less alone.

Primary Topics Covered:

• The underreported mental health struggles of first responders
• A son’s journey to understand and heal after his father’s suicide
• Living with guilt and depression after tragedy—and finding hope
• Suicide prevention awareness and everyday ways to support someone in crisis
• The power of empathy, online community, and human connection
• Crisis lines and why reaching out can save lives
• Talking openly about depression to reduce stigma and shame

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and purpose of the season review
 01:00 – Honoring guests who shared their vulnerable stories
 03:22 – First responders and depression: the hidden toll of trauma
 05:32 – A son’s journey after his father’s suicide
 07:43 – Guilt, depression, and recovery after tragedy
 09:13 – Suicide prevention awareness: support beyond hotlines
 10:46 – Sam Dylan Finch’s 11 ways to support someone in crisis
 12:55 – How empathy and online communities can save lives
 15:30 – Crisis lines: why reaching out matters
 17:48 – Early intervention and maintaining mental health
 19:03 – Breaking stigma: the importance of talking about depression
 21:28 – Closing reflections and invitation to Season Seven

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Depression affects more than 350 million people worldwide, but too often its symptoms are misunderstood, ignored, or hidden because of stigma. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, hosts Terri and Brigitte walk through the common signs and symptoms of depression based on the DSM-5, and welcome guest Alexandria Brown, author of You, Me, and Depression.

Alex shares her personal journey from anxiety in her teen years, to experiencing undiagnosed depression through college, to finally learning how to name and manage her illness. She discusses the turning point moments when she realized something was deeply wrong, and how therapy, medication, family support, and even pet therapy became critical tools in her recovery.

The conversation highlights the power of naming depression, breaking stigma, and choosing compassion for yourself instead of judgment. If you or someone you love is struggling, this episode is a powerful reminder: you are not alone, and help is available.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Defining depression using DSM-5 criteria
• Why stigma prevents early recognition and treatment
• Alexandria Brown’s story: from anxiety to depression diagnosis
• How recognizing depression can change self-compassion and healing
• Coping tools: therapy, antidepressants, pets, and support networks
• The importance of sharing stories and building community
• Breaking myths: depression doesn’t look the same for everyone

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Why talking about depression matters
 01:00 – DSM-5 symptoms of depression explained
 03:00 – Guest intro: Alexandria Brown, author and mental health advocate
 03:40 – Early struggles with anxiety and undiagnosed depression
 05:00 – The impact of stigma and silence around mental health
 06:30 – College years: breakdown and realizing something was wrong
 07:40 – How diagnosis helped with self-compassion and clarity
 09:30 – The role of therapy, antidepressants, and supportive family
 10:45 – The surprising benefits of pet therapy for depression
 12:00 – Why depression is different for everyone
 13:40 – Stigma, judgment, and the invisibility of depression
 15:00 – Finding strength in vulnerability and shared stories
 17:00 – Closing reflections: depression is real, help is possible

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

How do you recognize when depression is escalating into a crisis—and what can you do before it reaches that point? In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we continue our conversation with Corinne, who bravely shares how calling a suicide prevention hotline saved her life during a dark period of postpartum depression.

Now, from a place of healing, she explains the warning signs of a mental health decline, the tools she uses to prevent relapse, and why early action is essential. We discuss how to create a personal “mental health scale” for monitoring your well-being, practical self-care steps to stabilize before a crisis, and the importance of connection, honesty, and support.

If you’ve ever wondered how to recognize when it’s time to reach out for help—or how to support someone you love—this conversation offers both hope and practical strategies.

Link to Corrine's original article: https://qz.com/1381952/suicide-hotlines-really-do-save-lives-i-know-because-one-saved-mine/

Primary Topics Covered:

• The lifesaving role of crisis hotlines and immediate intervention
• Postpartum depression and suicidal thoughts: Corinne’s story of survival
• Creating and using a “mental health scale” (1–10 system) to monitor well-being
• Early warning signs that depression may be worsening
• Practical steps: therapy, exercise, rest, meditation, and connection
• How openness and sharing reduce stigma and isolation
• Why prevention and early intervention matter as much as crisis response

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to the episode and its purpose
 01:14 – Corinne’s story: postpartum depression and the suicide hotline call that saved her life
 02:06 – Shifting from survival to recovery: how hope returned
 03:23 – Why sharing stories of recovery is essential for reducing stigma
 04:25 – Building a “mental health scale” to track warning signs before a crisis
 05:31 – Practical steps to take when symptoms worsen (therapy, connection, rest, exercise, meditation)
 06:20 – The importance of reaching out to trusted loved ones
 07:34 – Recognizing the difference between normal sadness and a mental health crisis
 08:42 – Why early intervention makes recovery easier and more effective
 09:19 – How hotlines provide immediate “shock paddles” to restart hope
 10:44 – The danger of secrecy: why openness saves lives
 11:06 – Reframing honesty about depression as “the gift of sharing your experience”
 12:04 – Proactive strategies to change course before a breakdown
 12:33 – Why silence and shame make depression worse
 13:07 – Closing thoughts: breaking stigma and honoring shared stories

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

When you’re in crisis, knowing that help is just three digits away can make all the difference. In this episode, journalist Corinne Purtill shares her deeply personal experience of calling a suicide hotline during a dark moment in her life. She opens up about the misconceptions she had about crisis lines, what actually happened when she dialed, and how that call changed everything.

We also discuss what callers can expect when reaching out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, why you don’t need to be suicidal to call, and how trained listeners provide immediate support, guidance, and hope.

This episode is a reminder that crisis lines save lives, and that reaching out is a powerful act of courage—not weakness.

Link to Corinne Purtill's article: https://qz.com/1381952/suicide-hotlines-really-do-save-lives-i-know-because-one-saved-mine/

Primary Topics Covered:

• Misconceptions about suicide hotlines and who they are for
• What it’s like to call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• How depression convinces people to hide their struggles
• The importance of having the right words to ask for help
• Why silence and shame worsen mental health struggles
• Corinne’s story of reaching out and finding hope through connection
• What recovery looks like after a crisis

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and the importance of 988 as the new suicide hotline number
 01:00 – Why the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline matters
 02:06 – Corinne’s story: never expecting to call a hotline
 03:34 – How depression convinces us to stay silent
 04:35 – Misconceptions about privacy vs. shame
 04:46 – The risk of stopping antidepressants during pregnancy
 06:05 – Hiding depression behind a smile
 06:54 – The shame that fuels silence and suicidal thoughts
 08:08 – Depression’s biggest lie: convincing you it’s reality
 09:09 – Corinne makes a plan to end her life
 09:43 – The moment she decided to call the hotline
 10:30 – What to say when you reach out for help
 10:57 – The power of having words to ask for support
 11:24 – What happens if you’re placed on hold when calling 988
 12:46 – Recovery after crisis: therapy, medication, and ongoing support
 13:38 – Recognizing warning signs before “code red”

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Bridget and Terry remind us that suicide prevention and support aren’t just about professionals, therapy, or medication. Sometimes, the most life-saving act is simply listening and showing up with empathy.

Guests Bea and Debbie share powerful, raw experiences of reaching out to the Giving Voice to Depression Facebook community during their darkest moments. From losing a spouse to nearly ending their life, both found strength, hope, and connection through the kindness of strangers who took time to respond with compassion.

You’ll learn why you don’t need to be an expert to make a real difference in someone’s life—and why empathy, validation, and presence can mean everything to someone in pain.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Why suicide prevention requires daily awareness, not just during awareness month.
• How lived experience and peer support can sometimes help more than clinical advice.
• Bea’s story of loss and how community empathy carried her through grief.
• Debbie’s near-suicide and the crucial role of online support in saving her life.
• Why listening, empathy, and small gestures can truly save lives.
• Encouragement to step in, even in small ways, when someone is struggling.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and mission of the podcast
 01:00 - Suicide Prevention Awareness beyond one month
 01:28 - Guests Bea and Debbie share why they reached out for support
 02:07 - Why you don’t have to be an expert to make a difference
 03:06 - Bea on finding community after her husband’s sudden death
 04:28 - The healing power of empathy and being heard
 07:06 - Love, empathy, and caring in online communities
 09:00 - Why sharing stories and tools matters
 11:14 - Debbie’s experience with suicidal crisis and reaching out
 12:45 - How community support shifted her perspective
 14:16 - Why lived experience makes peer support powerful
 15:24 - Small acts of connection that save lives
 16:20 - Humanity, hope, and why saying “you’re not alone” matters
 17:45 - Closing thoughts and reminder: speak up and listen up

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

When someone you love is living with depression, it’s not always easy to know how to help. Do you step in with advice? Should you just listen? What if you say the wrong thing?

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, writer and mental health advocate Sam Dylan Finch shares 11 meaningful ways his loved ones supported him through depression, anxiety, and difficult times. These examples—big and small—show how trust, compassion, and simple presence can make all the difference.

Whether you’re a friend, partner, parent, or sibling, you’ll learn practical ways to support someone without overstepping, and how to keep showing up even after the crisis moment has passed.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Why advice often backfires when someone is struggling
• How to navigate the mental health system alongside a loved one
• Supporting someone who struggles with both depression and substance use
• The importance of trust—even when you disagree with their choices
• Why it’s crucial to keep checking in after someone “seems better”
• Balancing caregiver burnout with continued support
• Simple, powerful words that help someone feel safe and cared for

Timestamps:

00:02 – Introduction to the episode and series
 00:46 – Why support matters even when it’s hard to ask for help
 02:46 – #6: Don’t lecture or push treatment advice
 04:42 – #7: Helping navigate the mental health system
 07:20 – #8: Maintaining trust, even in difficult choices
 08:44 – Supporting without judgment in substance use struggles
 10:21 – How to encourage safety planning with compassion
 11:10 – #9: Keep checking in, even when they appear better
 12:33 – #10: Taking a caregiver break without causing harm
 14:15 – #11: Don’t wait for someone to ask for help—reach out
 16:27 – Why ongoing support matters after the “crisis” moment
 20:31 – Two powerful things supporters can say to help someone feel safe
 21:59 – Why we must learn this “support language” for mental health
 22:32 – Closing thoughts and gratitude to guest Sam Dylan Finch

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

When someone you love is struggling with depression, it can be hard to know how to help. Do you offer advice? Do you step back? Do you just listen? In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we talk with Sam Dylan Finch, who shares five practical, real-life ways that friends and family can step in to offer meaningful support during a mental health crisis.

Sam’s perspective is shaped not by theory, but by lived experience. These are things people actually did for him that made a difference. From listening without judgment, to helping with daily tasks, to building a support team—this episode is filled with ideas you can use right away.

If you’ve ever worried about “saying the wrong thing” or wondered how you can truly show up for someone in the dark, this conversation will give you clarity, compassion, and concrete steps to take.

Link to Sam's full list: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/08/24/11-important-ways-my-loved-ones-supported-me-during-a-mental-health-crisis/

Primary Topics Covered:

• Why listening matters more than offering solutions
• Asking what someone needs instead of assuming
• Offering simple, practical help with daily tasks
• The importance of checking on basic self-care (eating, sleeping, medication)
• Why learning about your loved one’s condition is a sign of respect
• Sending tangible reminders of care and love
• Using a team approach so no one supporter feels overwhelmed

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and context
 01:00 - Why offering support can feel awkward and difficult
 02:40 - The importance of listening over talking
 05:10 - Asking what’s needed instead of assuming
 07:00 - Offering help with daily tasks like meals or chores
 09:10 - Checking on basic needs: food, water, sleep, medication
 09:50 - Learning about your loved one’s mental health condition
 10:20 - The value of tangible reminders, like small gifts or notes
 11:07 - Taking a team approach to support
 13:24 - Why supporters also need support themselves
 14:18 - Building a contact list for crisis situations
 15:27 - Resources: Crisis Text Line and Suicide Prevention Lifeline
 16:30 - Final reflections and encouragement

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Cindy Kolbe shares her journey through overwhelming guilt, grief, and depression after a tragic car accident left her daughter paralyzed. For years, Cindy carried the crushing weight of self-blame, believing she had failed her family. She opens up about her struggles with major depression, the difficulty of forgiving herself, and the slow, painful process of healing.

But this story isn’t only about despair—it’s about resilience, hope, and the transformative power of love. Cindy describes how her daughter’s determination and joy after the accident inspired her, and how practices like therapy, medication, and meditation helped her cope. Her story is a reminder that even after life-altering tragedy, recovery and meaning are possible.

Whether you’re struggling with guilt, depression, or simply searching for hope after hardship, Cindy’s journey will encourage you to keep going.

Link to Cindy's blog: http://www.strugglingwithserendipity.com/

Primary Topics Covered:

• The connection between guilt and depression
• The impact of a life-altering accident on mental health
• Struggles with self-forgiveness and self-worth
• The role of therapy, antidepressants, and meditation in recovery
• The importance of hope, resilience, and community support
• Cindy’s daughter’s inspiring journey from paralysis to independence and achievement

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and context for the episode
 02:00 – Understanding depression as a complex condition
 03:07 – Cindy’s early experiences with depression and medication
 03:41 – The night of the accident and its aftermath
 05:31 – Cindy’s caregiving role and feelings of guilt
 07:26 – The crushing weight of depression and guilt
 08:54 – How guilt fueled feelings of unworthiness
 09:16 – Her daughter’s resilience and unexpected joy
 10:30 – Therapy, antidepressants, and meditation as coping tools
 12:14 – The importance of hope and community support
 13:25 – Her daughter’s inspiring accomplishments
 15:29 – How tragedy unexpectedly reshaped their lives for the better
 16:15 – Finding gratitude and meaning after loss
 17:21 – Closing reflections and reminder about suicide prevention

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Sebastian Slobodin shares his deeply personal journey after losing his father to suicide at age six. Growing up in silence and stigma, he struggled with depression himself until a chance encounter opened the door to healing.

Sebastian embarked on a global pilgrimage, speaking with dozens of his father’s friends to better understand the man he lost—and in the process, he uncovered lessons about self-worth, resilience, and the dangers of defining ourselves by external success.

Years later, his healing journey empowered him to step in and save another man’s life, proving that sharing our stories can create ripple effects of hope.

This conversation is a moving reminder that grief doesn’t have to be faced alone, recovery is possible, and your story may one day save someone else’s life.

Learn more about Sebastian and his father in the book Ashes in the Ocean, available on Amazon.com: www.amazon.com/Ashes-Ocean-Through-Learning-Fathers/dp/0692051198

Primary Topics Covered:

• The devastating impact of a parent’s suicide on a child
• Growing up in silence, stigma, and unprocessed grief
• How self-worth tied to external success increases mental health risks
• The turning point: finding connection through shared experiences of loss
• Lessons learned from a global pilgrimage to understand his father
• How sharing his story allowed Sebastian to help save another life
• The importance of speaking openly about suicide and mental health
• Finding meaning and purpose after tragedy

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Introduction to Giving Voice to Depression and episode theme
• 01:10 - Sebastian’s story introduced: loss of his father to suicide
• 03:08 - Growing up in an “ideal” home that hid painful struggles
• 03:36 - His father’s suicide at age six and its impact
• 04:52 - Struggling with depression and isolation as a teen
• 05:44 - The life-changing conversation with his father’s friend
• 06:43 - Realization: he was not alone in his grief
• 07:06 - Starting a pilgrimage to interview 40 of his father’s friends
• 08:18 - Learning deeper lessons about life, identity, and success
• 09:29 - The dangers of basing self-worth on external achievements
• 10:28 - Sebastian’s chance to help another suicidal father
• 12:11 - Visiting the same hospital where his father had died
• 13:41 - Therapist’s perspective on self-worth and vulnerability
• 15:41 - The importance of processing grief over a lifetime
• 17:31 - The unique power of lived experience in suicide prevention
• 20:09 - Recognizing self-worth even when you can’t see it yourself
• 21:33 - The clarity Sebastian felt when sharing his truth with others
• 22:01 - Closing reflections and message of hope

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

First responders are trained to run toward danger while the rest of us run away. But the weight of constant trauma, danger, and stress takes a toll. In this episode, former sheriff’s deputy Monica Quesnell shares her powerful story of battling depression while serving in law enforcement.

We explore the staggering rates of suicide among first responders, the stigma that prevents many from seeking help, and why prioritizing mental health in these professions is literally a matter of life and death. Monica’s journey from despair to healing is an inspiring reminder that even the strongest among us need—and deserve—support.

This episode is for anyone who works in high-stress frontline roles—or loves someone who does. Together, we can fight stigma, build resilience, and create a culture where asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Link to Monica Quesnell's website: http://bespokehappiness.com/

Primary Topics Covered:

• The impact of chronic stress and trauma on first responders’ mental health
• Alarming statistics on suicide and depression in law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs
• Monica’s personal journey: depression, law enforcement work, and finding healing
• Why stigma keeps first responders from seeking mental health support
• Practical tools and coping strategies Monica used to reclaim her life
• The importance of awareness, peer support, and professional counseling

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to the episode
 01:01 – The link between chronic stress, trauma, and depression
 02:18 – First responders’ unique mental health challenges
 02:55 – Suicide rates among first responders
 03:42 – Introducing guest Monica Quesnell
 04:08 – Monica’s story: battling depression and finding purpose in law enforcement
 05:13 – Starting counseling and the emotional impact of the job
 06:57 – A traumatic case that shifted Monica’s perspective
 08:14 – Witnessing suicide on duty and its lasting impact
 09:43 – Choosing to leave law enforcement for her mental health
 10:40 – Healing through biking, gardening, painting, and reconnecting with loved ones
 12:27 – Coping strategies for “bad days” with depression
 13:01 – A 2,400-mile bike ride to raise awareness for first responder mental health
 13:57 – Monica’s advocacy work and Bespoke Happiness project
 16:39 – Closing reflections: breaking stigma and supporting those on the front lines

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/