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

Recovery.com - Depression Help & Support
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Giving Voice To Depression unites lived experience and expert insight to shine a spotlight on depression and mental health. Each week, we bring you honest personal stories, evidence-based strategies, and compassionate conversations to help you understand, cope with, and recover from depression. Whether you’re navigating your own journey, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking to better understand mental-health challenges, this podcast offers real voices, trusted guidance, and a path toward hope. Subscribe now for new episodes every week and join a community where depression isn’t silenced—it’s voiced, understood and overcome.

  1. Childhood Depression Warning Signs: What Parents Missed — and How We Can Do Better Today

    22H AGO

    Childhood Depression Warning Signs: What Parents Missed — and How We Can Do Better Today

    What if the “sad kid” in school wasn’t just sensitive — but struggling with depression? In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Sally looks back at her childhood and teenage years and recognizes signs of depression that were misunderstood or overlooked. Excessive sleeping. Dark poetry. Persistent sadness. Thoughts about suicide. A lonely letter written at age ten. At the time, mental health education was limited. Her teacher raised concerns. Her parents didn’t know what to do. Therapy wasn’t discussed. Medication wasn’t considered. Now, nearly 70, Sally shares her story not with blame — but with purpose. She wants today’s parents, teachers, mentors, and caregivers to recognize the early signs of childhood depression and to know that help is available. Through diagnosis, medication, therapy, and self-awareness, Sally built a successful career and meaningful life — while still managing depression honestly. If you’ve ever wondered: “Is this normal teen behavior?”“Are these warning signs?”“How do I help a child who won’t talk?”This episode offers clarity, compassion, and a call to action. Depression in children is real. It’s treatable. And early intervention can change — and save — lives. Primary Topics Covered: Early signs of childhood depression (sleeping excessively, isolation, persistent sadness)The difference between “moody teen” and clinical depressionWriting dark poetry and suicidal ideation as warning signalsThe impact of grief and unprocessed loss on childrenMissed opportunities for early interventionDepression diagnosis at 21 and delayed treatmentFinding the right antidepressant medication after years of trialWhat depression feels like: “the rain-soaked coat” metaphorThe importance of educating families about youth mental healthWhy reducing stigma saves livesTimestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Sally’s story and why youth mental health matters 01:26 – Is it surly teen behavior — or depression? 02:50 – Excessive sleeping and feeling “different” as a teen 03:58 – Grief after her grandmother’s death and emotional shutdown 04:44 – Dark poetry and early suicidal thoughts 05:41 – Teacher warning signs — and missed intervention 07:06 – The letter written at age 10: loneliness and sadness 08:03 – How childhood depression steals joy 09:14 – Adult diagnosis and unexpected antidepressant breakthrough 10:38 – The mistake of stopping medication too soon 12:10 – Building a successful career while managing depression 13:06 – What depression feels like: the “rain-soaked coat” 14:13 – Why today’s children have more access to help 14:58 – What parents should look for beyond scraped knees 15:16 – Youth suicide prevention and early intervention 16:33 – Reducing stigma: calling therapists “feeling doctors” 17:45 – Closing reflections and 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/

    19 min
  2. Spreading Love, Saving Lives: The Little Heart Project’s Impact on Depression and Suicide Prevention

    FEB 10

    Spreading Love, Saving Lives: The Little Heart Project’s Impact on Depression and Suicide Prevention

    When Kathleen’s life fell apart near age 50 after a traumatic family event, she found herself battling severe depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. After years of therapy and treatment-resistant depression, a turning point came through an unexpected source — crocheting tiny hearts. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Kathleen shares how creating and distributing these handmade hearts evolved into The Little Heart Project, a grassroots movement spreading kindness, connection, and suicide prevention awareness one heart at a time. Through the project, strangers exchange hope — crocheters, volunteers, and recipients alike — proving that small, loving gestures can open conversations about mental health that might save lives. Hosts Terry McGuire and Dr. Anita Sanz discuss how compassion and community can coexist with clinical care, how simple acts of creativity support emotional recovery, and how we can all play a part in turning despair into connection. If you’ve ever wondered whether small acts of kindness can make a difference, this episode will convince you that they can. Primary Topics Covered Kathleen’s journey through depression, PTSD, and suicidalityHow crafting and purpose can support recoveryThe creation and growth of The Little Heart ProjectHow simple acts of kindness can spark mental health conversationsThe power of messages like “You are loved” and “It’s okay to not be okay”The role of ketamine therapy in treating treatment-resistant depressionBuilding a mental health “toolbox” — strategies that actually helpWhy talking about depression and suicide is essential for healingThe ripple effect: how one heart led to a life-saving late-night conversationFinal reflections on hope, survival, and doing what you can in dark timesTimestamps 00:00 – Welcome and introduction from Terry and Carly 01:03 – Why this Valentine’s-themed episode focuses on “hearts that heal” 02:59 – Kathleen’s story: depression, trauma, and PTSD after a family crisis 03:56 – Living with depression while trying to work and survive 05:42 – Discovering crochet as a mindful escape 06:30 – Launching The Little Heart Project and how it works 07:42 – How kindness sparks mental health conversations 08:41 – What messages are on the heart tags (“You are loved,” “It’s okay to not be okay”) 10:46 – How therapy and ketamine treatments helped her recover 12:27 – Building a “mental health toolbox” of coping strategies 13:38 – Sharing her story and reducing stigma through speaking 14:45 – The story of Samantha and Andrea — a heart that saved a life 16:05 – Hope, honesty, and understanding different healing paths 18:17 – Dr. Anita Sanz: why focusing on “what we can do” brings peace 19:12 – The value of surviving long enough for treatment to work 21:34 – Why hope — even 0.01% — is enough to keep going 22:01 – Closing thoughts and how to get involved in The Little Heart Project 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/

    23 min
  3. Breaking Family Cycles of Depression: Alexander’s Story of Healing, Honesty, and Hope

    FEB 3

    Breaking Family Cycles of Depression: Alexander’s Story of Healing, Honesty, and Hope

    When depression runs in families, so can silence. In this deeply personal episode, Giving Voice to Depression listener Alexander shares his journey from hiding his pain to opening up about it — and helping his family do the same. After years of quietly managing chronic illness, anxiety, and depression, Alexander realized he couldn’t keep pretending he was “fine.” What began as a search for understanding led him to Giving Voice to Depression, where hearing others share openly gave him permission to speak about his own struggles. Now, Alexander is choosing a different path. He’s building a foundation of communication with his wife and sons, breaking the generational silence that once defined his family. He talks about learning to accept his diagnosis, managing depression alongside chronic illness, confronting alcohol misuse, and reaching out for professional help when life feels overwhelming. Hosts Terry McGuire and Carly McCollow reflect on Alexander’s courage and what it means to be a “cycle breaker” — someone who changes inherited patterns of silence, stigma, and shame into compassion, honesty, and healing. If you’ve ever felt alone with your depression or unsure how to start a conversation about mental health, this story will remind you that you’re not alone — and that change begins with one brave voice. Primary Topics Covered: Breaking generational cycles of silence around mental healthMen and depression: the pressure to “soldier through” painLiving with chronic illness and its mental health tollThe impact of family stigma and emotional suppressionRecognizing depression as part of the human experience, not a character flawSeeking help and opening up about suicidal thoughts safelyParenting with awareness: raising emotionally open childrenUnderstanding that healing is ongoing — and often starts with small, brave conversationsTimestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and episode introduction 01:21 – The power of shared personal stories in changing mental health stigma 02:10 – Meet Alexander and how he found Giving Voice to Depression 03:25 – How hearing others’ stories made him feel less alone 04:39 – Growing up without open conversations about mental health 05:38 – Managing chronic illness and its emotional toll 06:30 – Accepting a diagnosis of depression and anxiety 07:40 – Realizing depression runs in the family 09:17 – Self-medicating with alcohol and the journey to recovery 10:20 – Shame, honesty, and learning to ask for help 11:15 – Breaking cycles through communication with his children 12:40 – Terry and Carly reflect on “cycle breaking” and generational healing 14:05 – The importance of curiosity about family mental health 15:22 – How awareness helps us create change for future generations 17:10 – Closing thoughts: Depression is too dark a road to walk alone 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/

    18 min
  4. Why Depression Makes Daily Life Feel Impossible — and How to Ask for Help Without Shame

    JAN 27

    Why Depression Makes Daily Life Feel Impossible — and How to Ask for Help Without Shame

    When depression takes hold, even the smallest tasks — doing the dishes, making your bed, sending a text — can feel insurmountable. In this honest and compassionate conversation, writer Molly Bacchus joins host Terry McGuire to talk about what she calls “The Impossible Task.” Molly’s viral description of this experience gave language to something millions silently endure: the crushing paralysis of depression that turns simple responsibilities into emotional mountains. Together, they explore why this happens, why it’s not laziness or weakness, and how asking for help can make all the difference. Through personal stories and raw honesty, this episode offers comfort, validation, and practical insight — reminding listeners that depression lies, help is possible, and no one should have to face it alone. 💬 Primary Topics Covered What “the impossible task” really means in depressionHow guilt and shame reinforce depression’s paralysisWhy everyday tasks can feel physically and mentally overwhelmingLearning to separate inability from lazinessThe importance of community and “co-depression friends”How helping others can also help us healGiving yourself permission to ask for help — without shameWhy depression lies about being permanent — and how to hold on to hope⏱ Timestamps  00:00 – Welcome to Giving Voice to Depression 01:20 – Why words matter when describing mental health 02:08 – Introducing “The Impossible Task” and how it began 03:32 – When daily chores feel impossible 04:45 – Molly’s month-long struggle to make her bed 06:23 – Why simple things can feel overwhelming 07:19 – Fighting the self-blame that comes with depression 08:36 – Emotional triage: choosing what your brain can handle 09:28 – When picking up a prescription feels like climbing a mountain 10:54 – The power of a friend who simply shows up 11:49 – A message of hope: “This will not last forever.” 12:19 – Remembering that depression lies about permanence 13:22 – Helping others can help yourself, too 14:19 – Finding “co-depression friends” and mutual support 15:08 – The courage to talk about your impossible task 16:16 – Closing reflections: asking for help and finding strength 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/

    19 min
  5. The Connection Between Mental and Physical Health: Darin Olien on Depression, Nutrition, and Recovery

    JAN 20

    The Connection Between Mental and Physical Health: Darin Olien on Depression, Nutrition, and Recovery

    In this inspiring episode of Giving Voice to Depression, wellness expert and author Darin Olien — co-host of Netflix’s Down to Earth with Zac Efron — opens up about his personal experiences with depression and shares how physical and mental health are deeply connected. Olien, known for his best-selling books SuperLife and Fatal Conveniences, discusses how diet, hydration, sleep, trauma, and emotional awareness play crucial roles in improving mental health. He shares candid reflections on grief, loss, and rebuilding his life after his Malibu home burned down — revealing how embracing vulnerability and self-compassion became essential parts of his healing journey. Together with hosts Terry McGuire and Dr. Anita Sanz, Darin explores how we can take small, realistic steps to strengthen mental resilience, nurture our bodies, and reclaim hope. Whether you’re struggling with depression, supporting a loved one, or simply looking for practical ways to take better care of your mind and body, this conversation offers real-world tools and the reminder that you don’t have to walk this road alone. 💬 Primary Topics Covered The powerful link between physical and mental healthPersonal experiences with depression and lossThe role of nutrition, hydration, and sleep in mood regulationUnderstanding trauma, grief, and emotional healingPractical wellness tools for depression and anxietyHow to recognize when to seek professional helpThe value of community, empathy, and therapyWhy it takes courage to feel and process emotionsBuilding resilience and redefining hope after major life changes⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Welcome and episode overview 01:20 – Meet Darin Olien: Author, wellness expert, and mental health advocate 03:38 – Darin shares his family’s experience with depression 05:42 – “When your body is depressed, your mind follows”: the biology of depression 06:12 – Losing everything in the California wildfires — grief and renewal 07:35 – The courage it takes to process pain and let go 08:41 – How ultra-processed foods affect mood and mental clarity 09:31 – Trauma, stress, and their long-term impact on mental health 11:13 – Why community, therapy, and medication all matter 12:27 – The importance of radical self-honesty and emotional safety 13:17 – The power of empathy and active listening 13:50 – Breaking stigma: why therapy isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom 15:19 – Self-forgiveness and letting go of pain that isn’t yours 16:36 – Understanding control: sleep, nutrition, and body rhythms 18:07 – How diet and hydration influence mental health 19:49 – “Get help. This is your life.” — Darin’s call to action 20:54 – Permission to dream: finding purpose after depression 22:00 – Dr. Sanz on what you can control — nutrition, sleep, activity, stress 24:47 – How genetics account for 20% — and your choices for 80% — of outcomes 25:51 – Closing reflections: hope, control, and compassion 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/

    27 min
  6. Depression, Suicide, and Hope: Andre Henry on Music, Self-Compassion, and Surviving the Darkest Days

    JAN 13

    Depression, Suicide, and Hope: Andre Henry on Music, Self-Compassion, and Surviving the Darkest Days

    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 self-acceptance. He explains how therapy helped him build a “safety plan” that brings him back from despair to agency. Hosts Terry McGuire and Carly McCollow join him to discuss the power of community, how to show yourself the same compassion you’d show others, and the importance of recognizing that needing help doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means something in you needs attention. If you’ve ever felt stuck in darkness or hopelessness, this episode offers the real-world reminders and tools that can help you make it to tomorrow, too. 💬 Primary Topics Covered How music helps process depression and emotional painAndre Henry’s “safety plan” for surviving suicidal thoughtsUsing self-hugs and breathing techniques to manage shameTransforming hopelessness into small acts of self-careWhy feeling suicidal doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means something needs attentionReframing depression as a sign of unmet needs, not personal failureThe role of community and therapy in mental health recoveryUsing creativity as emotional resilienceWhat it means to believe you can “make it to tomorrow”⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Giving Voice to Depression continues the conversation with Andre Henry 01:12 – Revisiting “Make It to Tomorrow” and the meaning behind the song 02:31 – How music helps Andre process depression and connect with others 03:32 – The “safety plan” built into the second verse — sunlight, movement, connection 04:42 – How therapy and body awareness helped him reclaim control 05:15 – Self-hugs and the science of self-compassion 06:22 – The Rick Hanson exercise: turning compassion inward 07:12 – “I’m not afraid to say I’m not okay”: Andre’s emotional honesty 08:38 – Why depression is a logical response to pain, not a personal failure 09:10 – Remembering resilience: “You’ve outlived every bad day so far.” 10:28 – How self-love changes the way you face external challenges 11:13 – Why feeling suicidal doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means something needs care 12:20 – “I didn’t see this beauty coming, but here we are.” 13:27 – Carly and Terry reflect: Depression doesn’t mean brokenness — it signals a need for care 14:32 – Full song performance: Make It to Tomorrow 17:21 – Closing message: Depression is too dark a road to walk alone 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/

    18 min
  7. Make It To Tomorrow: Andre Henry on Depression, Suicide, and Hope Through Song

    JAN 6

    Make It To Tomorrow: Andre Henry on Depression, Suicide, and Hope Through Song

    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 words and melodies that resonated with thousands of listeners. In this episode, Andre opens up about his lifelong relationship with depression, the systemic and cultural pressures that intensified his struggles, and the powerful tools that help him fight for another day. He and hosts Terry McGuire and Carly McCollow explore what it means to sit with hard emotions, to normalize mental health conversations, and to turn despair into creative expression. If you’ve ever felt like you couldn’t make it to tomorrow, this story reminds you that you’re not alone — and that hope, healing, and connection are still possible. 💬 Primary Topics Covered Depression, suicidal ideation, and survival through creativityHow music can be a form of therapy and emotional releaseThe Black community and mental health stigmaChildhood melancholy and early signs of depressionThe emotional and social weight of racial injusticeWhy some people who want to die don’t actually want death — they want pain to stopUnderstanding triggers, rumination, and hopelessnessUsing safety plans and “mental health toolkits” in crisis momentsRecognizing depression as a reasonable response to a painful worldThe importance of honest conversations about suicide prevention⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Giving Voice to Depression and why real conversations matter 01:25 – Meet Andre Henry, musician, author, and survivor 03:12 – Early signs of depression and “melancholy” as a child 04:34 – Stigma and silence around mental health in immigrant and Black communities 05:58 – What inspired “Make It To Tomorrow” and how it became a lifeline 07:36 – The moment Andre wrote the song in crisis 08:13 – The emotional weight of racism and trauma 09:41 – Understanding the difference between wanting to die and wanting pain to stop 12:08 – Managing triggers and internal narratives 13:12 – Using music, exercise, and connection as survival tools 14:46 – Preview of part two: self-hugging, safety plans, and hope 16:22 – Reflections on childhood emotions and family dynamics 17:54 – Depression as a response to a painful world 18:19 – How Andre reframes his story through art and empathy 19:02 – Closing: You’re not alone — depression is a dark road, but not one to walk alone 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/

    20 min
  8. Mental Health New Year Resolutions: Dr. Margaret Rutherford on Self-Care, Therapy, and Real Change

    12/30/2025

    Mental Health New Year Resolutions: Dr. Margaret Rutherford on Self-Care, Therapy, and Real Change

    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 resolutions that actually help — ones rooted in self-compassion instead of shame. Dr. Rutherford explains why traditional resolutions often fail and how to replace them with practical, emotionally sustaining goals that strengthen your mental, physical, and spiritual health. From journaling and mindfulness to therapy, social media limits, and learning to forgive yourself, this conversation offers a roadmap for real and lasting emotional change. If you’re starting the year wanting to feel better but unsure where to begin, this episode gives you both insight and doable next steps. 💬 Primary Topics Covered Why most New Year’s resolutions fail — and how to make meaningful onesThe link between mental, physical, and spiritual healthHow to set goals based on self-compassion, not shameThe importance of therapy, meditation, and journaling in recoveryThe role of social media, boundaries, and relationships in emotional wellbeingThe difference between “superficial self-care” and real self-careHow to support others’ mental health by reducing stigmaLearning to forgive yourself and heal from past mistakesUsing your experiences to grow empathy and connectionEmbracing the truth that there is no health without mental health⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Why New Year’s resolutions often fail 02:27 – How setting intentions for mental health can be powerful 03:38 – Dr. Margaret Rutherford on self-awareness and emotional honesty 04:30 – The problem with goals based on shame or self-loathing 05:22 – How to take a holistic view of health: mind, body, spirit 06:12 – Why self-validation is essential in challenging times 06:40 – How to plant “mental health seeds” for your future 07:45 – The effects of social media on depression and self-image 09:03 – Resolutions that make a real difference (therapy, journaling, mindfulness) 10:22 – The benefits and accessibility of online therapy 11:20 – Breaking down stigma and understanding hidden struggles 13:22 – “People don’t fake depression. They fake being okay.” 14:43 – Seeing mental health as a spectrum — and everyone’s on it 16:25 – Healing from guilt, shame, and past actions 17:09 – There is no health without mental health 17:25 – Creating a “to-be” list instead of a “to-do” list 18:05 – A message of hope and self-forgiveness for the new year 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/

    20 min
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About

Giving Voice To Depression unites lived experience and expert insight to shine a spotlight on depression and mental health. Each week, we bring you honest personal stories, evidence-based strategies, and compassionate conversations to help you understand, cope with, and recover from depression. Whether you’re navigating your own journey, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking to better understand mental-health challenges, this podcast offers real voices, trusted guidance, and a path toward hope. Subscribe now for new episodes every week and join a community where depression isn’t silenced—it’s voiced, understood and overcome.

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