Giving Voice to Depression

People with heart problems do not wait for a heart attack to address them.People with diabetes do not rely solely on an EpiPen to control their illness. And people with mental health challenges cannot wait until suicidal thoughts necessitate emergency actions. Self-care and depression-management involve tuning in with your changing thoughts/moods, establishing and using a safety plan and personalized tools that work for you.No illness is easier to treat when it's an emergency.https://988lifel...

Suicide prevention hotlines are available 24/7, ensuring there is always somewhere and someone you can turn to when in crisis. That does not mean there is no one in your life who would help, though it may mean depression has convinced you that's the case. Corinne Purtill credits the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline with saving her life, and she's speaking up so that we'll know the bottom does not need to mean the end. That line, now called the 988 Lifeline, has changed from its forme...

Looking for a new mental-health management tool?How about a creative one that "gets the ugly out" while maintaining your privacy?Our guest, Gina Barry, tells us how she modified the practice of writing "morning pages" into a more-private, freeing and effective way to get the darkness, depression and grief out of her head.Gina says giving your feelings a voice helps them not just sit there, on a repetitive loop. In just 20 minutes, you'll learn a new technique that could help you manage your d...

The podcast episode 316 titled "" Childhood Trauma and Depression- An Undeniable Link" features a conversation with Renee, who shares her journey of overcoming depression rooted in early childhood trauma (Adverse Childhood Experiences - ACEs). Renee discusses her difficult past, which included self-harming, risky behaviors, and a lack of effective support from traditional therapy methods. Her turning point came when a judge recognized her underlying issues and directed her to therapy, le...

In "Setting a Time Limit for Depression," guest Matt Zinman, who has extensive personal experience with depression and other mental illness in his family. Matt shares his strategies for managing and overcoming depression, emphasizing his 3-Day Rule. This rule suggests that while a couple of down days can be manageable, by the third day, "purposeful action" is required to prevent sinking deeper into depression.Matt explains his "mood scale," which helps individuals recognize their emotional st...

314-A Family History of Mental Illness (rerun), from Giving Voice to Depression, delves into the intricate relationship between genetics and mental disorders. It looks at how genetic susceptibility and environmental factors interplay in the development of mental health issues.The guest, Matt Zinman, shares his personal story of growing up with a bipolar father and a depressive mother who survived a suicide attempt. His candid reflections highlight the confusion and anger he felt as a ch...

About a third of all people experiencing mental illnesses and about half of people living with severe mental illnesses also experience substance use disorders. "These statistics are mirrored in the populations of people living with substance use disorders. where about a third of all alcohol abusers and more than half of all drug abusers report experiencing a mental illness," according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. That statistic, like all statistics, is about real peop...

In episode 312 of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast, hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz continue their discussion with Jeanie, the mother of Jake Possemato, who died by suicide at 26. They delve into Jake's life, his struggles with mental health from a young age, and his involvement in the car drifting community. Jeanie recounts how Jake's passion for drifting and the tight-knit car community have become integral in raising awareness for mental health and honoring Jake’s memory and caring he...

In this episode of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast, hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz talk with Jeanie, a mother who lost her son Jake to suicide. Jeanie recounts Jake's life, highlighting his exceptional intelligence and deep compassion from a young age, contrasted with his struggles with depression, anxiety, and later bipolar disorder. Jake's mental health battles were profound, starting as early as age seven when he expressed feelings of the world being too heavy for him. Jeanie s...

What is "normal"? That can be a tricky question for anyone, since our normal is always different than someone else's and our normal changes, depending on a variety of factors. But depression can make us believe that other people are normal and that we are not. And that belief can make the dark, heavy days when we "just can't" seem like personal failures vs. like sick days, which is what we'd likely think with any other illness that stopped us in our tracks."When You Don’t Feel 'Nor...

If any part of you thinks that people with depression are weak, buckle up.In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we hear about the mental health journey of NFL Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins who, despite his success on the field, faced a profound battle with depression. Dawkins' struggles became public when he made the bold and impactful decision to use his Hall of Fame induction speech to share about the dangers of not getting help and support when we're struggle with a mental ...

In "When You Need to Let it Out," hosts Terry and Anita welcome guest Paula to share her journey with depression. Paula defies the stereotype of someone living with depression, appearing energetic and confident on the surface. However, she opens up about her struggles and how she came to terms with her mental health.Paula shares her experience of growing up in various countries before settling in the US, where she discovered her depression. Despite her outwardly positive demeanor, Paula found...

"Listening is a Loving Gift We Can All Offer" delves into the profound act of listening as a powerful tool in supporting those living with depression. Robert, a trained and experienced "listener," shares insights from years of experience at a crisis hotline where he demonstrated the significance of genuine, empathetic listening. Robert discusses the dual perspective of experiencing depression and anxiety personally while working in mental health, and the lesson he's learned through ...

This episode delves into the experiences of Natasha, a mother who shares her journey through postpartum depression (PPD). Natasha recounts her initial lack of recognition of PPD symptoms despite prior education on the topic, attributing it to the overwhelming life changes accompanying motherhood. She reflects on her reluctance to acknowledge or share her feelings, viewing them as signs of weakness, and the impact of societal expectations and family upbringing on seeking help.Natasha emphasize...

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we delve into the often-misunderstood realm of postpartum depression (PPD), a silent struggle affecting approximately one in 8 new mothers. While the birth of a baby is traditionally associated with joy and excitement, for some, it can trigger unexpected emotions, including anxiety and depression.Hosts Dr Anita Sanz and Terry McGuire explore the nuances between the common "baby blues" experienced by most new mothers and the more profound, endurin...