This is my story. The story of why I started the Giving Voice to Depression podcast. I first told it four years ago when we started this resource because it didn't seem fair to ask others to share their stories unless my sister and I did, too.
I am re-posting it now because, being sick for the past several weeks I've had a lot of time to think, and question my life and my work and myself. Not in a depressed way, thankfully . But in that fevered and can't sleep way. 
And frankly, I think I needed to be reminded of how far I've come (mentally) so that I can honestly and passionately continue to tell anyone listening that things really truly can get better. It might not be as soon or as easily as we'd like. But everything can change. And there are things we can do when we first see the warning signs to give ourselves a better fighting chance. I didn't know that four years ago.  Thanks to all the people who've shared their stories with us, I know it now. And I believe it and see it work for myself and others. 
Thank you for having taken this journey with us. Thank you for listening and for sharing and for caring-- for yourselves and each other. We truly are stronger together.

Why I Had to Give Voice to Depression (remix)

In episode 5 of The 'S' Word: A Podcast about Suicide Prevention, we discuss the intersection of mental health and suicide with clinical psychologist Dr. Terri deRoon-Cassini, Associate Professor of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery and Executive Director of the Comprehensive Injury Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

The 'S' Word: Suicide and Mental Health

One of the many things depression and other chronic or invisible illnesses steal from us, is our energy.  
In this 17-minute episode, we discuss Christine Miserandino's Spoon Theory as a way to both manage and explain our often-limited resources. 
The theory is a metaphor describing the amount of physical and/or mental energy that a person has available for daily activities and tasks, and how it can become limited.
It offers a kind of shorthand for communicating why we need to make choices (i.e. cancelling plans, saying no to opportunities, etc.) The Spoon Theory can help with establishing boundaries and may even help you show yourself a bit more grace.

247_Applying Spoon Theory to Depression

April is the Month of the Military Child, and in our episode of The 'S' Word, we talk with Sarah Jemison, Military Family Resiliency Specialist with Seven Counties Services, Inc., about suicide risk and resilience among military children. Join us for this compelling episode!

Episode 14: Suicide Risk and Resilience among Military Children

In Episode 15, we talk with Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We discuss the innovative research funded through AFSP as well as some of the upcoming priorities for the foundation. If you are interested in national efforts related to suicide prevention, this is the episode for you!

Episode 15: The State and Future of Suicide Prevention Research

Stigma, shame and the fact depression is still (too) often seen as a weakness or failing, cause many people with the common illness to hide their struggles and pain behind a mask.

While in moderation this can be a healthy coping mechanism, it can also be dangerous as it prevents us not only from living as authentic human beings, but also from getting the help and support we need to live healthy, connected lives.

In this remixed episode, our guest Andrew Penner speaks eloquently about his mask, while therapist Dr. Anita Sanz takes a big-picture view of the coping strategy.

https://thephoenixnarrative.blog/
https://themighty.com/u/andrew-penner/
https://twitter.com/andrewpenner78

258- The Pros and Cons of Masking Your Depression

After losing his father to suicide as a child, an adult Sebastian Slovin embarks on a journey of recovery and discovery. 

What starts out as an investigation to understand his father's death, ends up providing a deeper understanding of how to live a truer life.

This 23-minute remix is a powerful reminder of the fact our lives are intertwined and that even our worst and most-painful experiences may lead to connections and blessings in ways we can't imagine. 

Learn more about Sebastian and his father in the book "Ashes in the Ocean."

259- Ashes in the Ocean A Son’s Story

We are encouraged to "do the work" to manage our mental health.
We're told to #beheretomorrow.
And those are powerful messages!
But how often do they include the reminder that we deserve to recover, heal and live for ourselves and not just for others?
That distinction is discussed in this 24-minute episode with our guest, Ari Cohen.

Families for Depression Awareness site: https://www.familyaware.org/

260_Taking Care of Ourselves for Ourselves

We buy all kinds of insurance to protect ourselves.
A Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is "emotional insurance." 
It can help us recognize when/why we are in a Good Place, and
warn us if/when we (or our minds) start to wander into Less-Good Places. 
A WRAP can also protect us and give us some control in a mental-health crisis.

In this episode our cohosts, a licensed psychologist and certified peer specialist continue a step-by-step guide for making a personalized WRAP plan-- something we create when we're well, to speak to and for us when we are not.

links: The form: https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/WRAP.pdf
https://copelandcenter
mentalhealthrecovery.com/info-center/
www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/WRAP.pdf

262-Making a Mental Health Crisis Plan

The phrase "stigma of mental illness" is at once overused and misunderstood.

What does it really mean? Why does it matter? Why should I care?

In the second of four episodes in our monthlong look at 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.

www.mhanational.org/b4stage4-philosophy
https://www.findthemind.org/articles/why-is-there-so-much-stigma-surrounding-mental-illness

264 Why Stigma Matters

Rebecca Lombardo fights a battle inside her mind every single day. 

But she doesn't fight it alone. 

In this 19-minute episode you'll hear from both Becca and her husband Joe, as they share some of the lessons they've learned in their marriage; lessons about communication, boundaries, love, and Bipolar 2 Disorder.

www.rebeccaalombardo.com

268_Seeing Beyond Your Partner's Diagnosis

Depression affects more than 300,000,000  worldwide. So basically, if you don't have it yourself, you know someone who does. Giving Voice to Depression was founded to start discussions that reduce stigma and promote understanding. We look at depression from many angles. A journalist with depression pre-produces short (7-10 minute) interview segments, and then the sister co-hosts, who both live with depression, comment on the issues presented. The episodes are informative and hopeful-- and seldom depressing.  It's time to shine some light on depression's darkness! Join us.

Why I Had to Give Voice to Depression (remix)

Giving Voice to Depression

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