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 pain
• Andre Henry’s “safety plan” for surviving suicidal thoughts
• Using self-hugs and breathing techniques to manage shame
• Transforming hopelessness into small acts of self-care
• Why feeling suicidal doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means something needs attention
• Reframing depression as a sign of unmet needs, not personal failure
• The role of community and therapy in mental health recovery
• Using creativity as emotional resilience
• What 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

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Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

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 creativity
• How music can be a form of therapy and emotional release
• The Black community and mental health stigma
• Childhood melancholy and early signs of depression
• The emotional and social weight of racial injustice
• Why some people who want to die don’t actually want death — they want pain to stop
• Understanding triggers, rumination, and hopelessness
• Using safety plans and “mental health toolkits” in crisis moments
• Recognizing depression as a reasonable response to a painful world
• The 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/

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 ones
• The link between mental, physical, and spiritual health
• How to set goals based on self-compassion, not shame
• The importance of therapy, meditation, and journaling in recovery
• The role of social media, boundaries, and relationships in emotional wellbeing
• The difference between “superficial self-care” and real self-care
• How to support others’ mental health by reducing stigma
• Learning to forgive yourself and heal from past mistakes
• Using your experiences to grow empathy and connection
• Embracing 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/

The holidays can be painful for anyone carrying grief, loss, or depression — especially in a world that insists on constant cheer.
In this special annual episode of Giving Voice to Depression, author John Pavlovitz reads his essay “To Those Who Struggle This Christmas” — a heartfelt message to anyone who feels broken, lonely, or unseen this time of year.

His compassionate words acknowledge every kind of pain that the season can amplify:
grief over loved ones lost, strained relationships, health struggles, or the quiet war within your own mind.
He reminds listeners that while pain may feel overwhelming today, this moment is not the end of your story — that you are loved, seen, and not alone.

Co-hosts Terry McGuire, Carly McCollow, and Dr. Anita Sanz introduce and close the episode with reflections on why this message matters — and where to find community and support if the holidays feel unbearable.

If this season is heavy for you, this six-minute reflection is a soft place to land.

💬 Primary Topics Covered

• Holiday depression and the loneliness of unmet expectations
• How grief, loss, and separation deepen emotional pain in December
• Mental health and faith: how compassion and honesty can coexist
• The false pressure to “be merry” when you’re struggling
• Releasing guilt for not feeling joyful during the holidays
• Why you are not alone in your pain — millions feel this way too
• The reminder that your current sadness is not your whole story
• Finding hope through empathy, connection, and community
• The role of self-acceptance in healing through the holidays

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: Giving Voice to Depression’s holiday message
00:25 – The power of sharing stories of struggle during the holidays
01:32 – Introducing Dr. Anita Sanz and John Pavlovitz’s annual essay
02:20 – John Pavlovitz begins reading “To Those Who Struggle This Christmas”
02:44 – A message to those grieving, alone, or weighed by loss
04:25 – When dreams dissolve and relationships end
05:13 – For those facing illness, depression, and personal demons
06:00 – The shared human truth: you are not suffering alone
06:45 – Hope beyond today’s pain: your story is not over
07:20 – Reflection from hosts on finding hope and connection
07:40 – Where to find support and understanding in the GVTD community

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/

The holiday season can bring warmth, connection, and joy — but it can also trigger deep stress, loneliness, and depression. In this insightful conversation, Dr. Anita Sanz, psychologist and board member for Giving Voice to Depression, joins hosts Terry McGuire and Bridget to talk about how to navigate the holidays with compassion and balance.

Using a surprising lens — Ebenezer Scrooge — Dr. Sanz explores how grief, loss, and unrealistic expectations can transform the season into an emotional burden, and what we can do to reclaim meaning. She shares practical ways to manage mental health, from setting boundaries and redefining traditions to offering (and receiving) grace.

Listeners will learn actionable self-care strategies and a simple but powerful way to support friends with depression during the holidays — what Dr. Sanz calls “the gift of the out.”

If you’ve ever felt pressure to pretend everything’s fine when you’re struggling, this episode reminds you: You have permission to slow down, simplify, and celebrate on your own terms.

💬 Primary Topics Covered

• Why the holidays are emotionally challenging for people with depression
• How grief and unrealistic expectations fuel holiday stress
• “The Scrooge Perspective”: empathy for those who can’t feel festive
• What it means to “offer the out” to someone struggling
• How to set healthy boundaries with friends and family
• Giving yourself permission to rest, say no, or leave early
• Non-negotiable self-care during the holidays (sleep, nutrition, sunlight)
• How to simplify and find meaning beyond consumerism
• Dealing with financial pressure and post-holiday burnout
• Choosing quality over quantity: redefining what “celebration” means

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and welcome
02:28 – Why holidays amplify stress, grief, and expectations
03:38 – Reframing “Scrooge” through the lens of empathy and depression
05:13 – Why some people withdraw or avoid gatherings
07:24 – The emotional cost of unpredictability in depression
08:00 – “The Gift of the Out”: offering flexibility and compassion
08:47 – Allowing guests to arrive, leave, or skip without guilt
09:13 – Why flexible invitations reduce pressure for people with depression
10:32 – Turning empathy inward: offering compassion to yourself
10:57 – The basics of self-care during the holidays (sleep, nutrition, movement)
12:07 – Simple, low-cost ways to recharge emotionally
12:54 – Asking “What do I really want this holiday to mean?”
13:31 – Letting go of traditions that no longer serve you
14:43 – Redefining family expectations and setting limits
15:53 – Post-holiday burnout and financial stress management
16:42 – The importance of permission and choice in healing
17:38 – Hosts share their own holiday simplification experiences
18:59 – 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/

In this special episode of Giving Voice to Depression, hosts Terry McGuire and her sister and former co-host Bridget Shore introduce a simple, science-backed tool that anyone can use to calm their nervous system and ease symptoms of depression or anxiety — EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), also known as tapping.

They’re joined by Brad Yates, one of the world’s most recognized EFT practitioners, who guides listeners through a powerful step-by-step tapping session designed specifically for people living with depression.

Brad explains how tapping works by lowering cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone), interrupting negative thought loops, and helping people release stuck emotional energy. He walks listeners through the basic tapping points, offers guidance on self-acceptance and gratitude, and reminds us that even small reductions in distress can reignite hope.

If you’ve ever felt “stuck” in depression, this episode offers a free, accessible way to start feeling lighter — no special equipment, therapist, or medication required.

💬 Primary Topics Covered

• What EFT Tapping is and how it helps reduce stress and depression
• The science behind tapping: lowering cortisol and calming the nervous system
• Step-by-step guide through the tapping points and technique
• Why acknowledging your negative feelings is essential for healing
• How tapping can help shift emotional patterns linked to past trauma
• The connection between self-acceptance and emotional recovery
• How small progress (even from a “9” to an “8.75”) builds hope
• Using tapping as a portable, no-cost self-help tool for mental health
• Encouragement for practicing regularly for stronger results
• How to pair tapping with gratitude and mindfulness for long-term relief

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Why self-help tools like EFT belong in your mental health toolbox
01:11 – What EFT Tapping is and how it helps manage depression and anxiety
02:23 – The science of tapping: lowering cortisol and reducing stress
03:02 – Brad Yates joins to explain how tapping works
04:08 – Why tapping provides both emotional and physical relief
05:03 – How small stress reductions create momentum for hope
06:08 – Step-by-step EFT demonstration: tapping points and phrases
09:23 – How tapping helps release old programming and trauma
10:13 – Shifting identity from “I have depression” to “I experience depression”
10:30 – Guided tapping session for depression and self-acceptance
14:21 – Focusing on gratitude, breathing, and small joys
17:19 – Checking progress: from low mood to calm awareness
17:57 – Why EFT works even for skeptics
18:13 – A tool that requires no cost, insurance, or therapist
19:13 – Why saying affirmations out loud makes tapping more powerful
19:50 – Call to action: try EFT, share your results, and suggest future topics

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/

The holidays are marketed as “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for millions struggling with depression, anxiety, and burnout, the season can feel more overwhelming than joyful.

In this special Giving Voice to Depression episode, Terry McGuire and Dr. Anita Sanz discuss how to manage emotional overload and protect your mental health amid unrealistic expectations, family pressures, and financial strain.

Dr. Sanz shares compassionate, evidence-based strategies she gives her therapy clients to prevent holiday burnout — from paring down expectations and setting boundaries to planning for alone time and managing social triggers.

You’ll learn why fatigue, disrupted routines, and grief make the holidays especially difficult for people with depression — and how to use humor, self-care, and intentional rest to make it through intact.

This conversation is full of practical insights for anyone who feels stretched too thin or emotionally fragile during the holidays — and a reminder that taking care of yourself is not selfish; it’s essential.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Why holiday expectations can worsen depression and anxiety
• How fatigue and disrupted routines impact mental health
• Setting healthy boundaries with family and friends
• Dealing with loneliness and grief during the holidays
• Practical coping tips for holiday travel and gatherings
• The “Bingo Card” method for handling family stress with humor
• Financial pressure and gift-giving guilt
• How to simplify plans and reduce emotional overload
• Creating new, meaningful traditions when you’re grieving
• The importance of rest and post-holiday recovery days

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: The mental health challenges of the holidays
02:29 – Why expectations and energy demands cause emotional overload
03:38 – Family pressure, estrangement, and grief
04:16 – How to stop trying to make everyone happy
05:13 – Financial strain and burnout after overspending
05:43 – How disrupted routines impact your well-being
06:19 – Rule #1: Simplify and match expectations to your reality
06:46 – Remember you’re a co-creator of your holiday experience
07:56 – How to handle loneliness or being alone for the holidays
09:10 – Finding meaning when you’re not celebrating with family
10:40 – Grieving during the holidays and giving yourself permission to “turtle”
11:56 – Using humor and creativity to manage family stress (the “Bingo Card” strategy)
13:33 – Reframing interactions through laughter and dark humor
14:38 – Setting firm limits on time, topics, and commitments
15:39 – Giving yourself a “buffer day” after travel or family events
15:58 – Managing energy demands and planning for recovery
16:44 – Final advice: Be gentle, lower expectations, and care for yourself first

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/

The holidays are often portrayed as a time of joy, connection, and celebration—but for many living with depression or grief, this season can feel unbearably heavy.

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, host Terry McGuire and psychologist Dr. Anita Sanz speak with grief expert Krista St-Germain about how to navigate the emotional complexities of the holiday season when you’re struggling with loss, sadness, or mental exhaustion.

Krista explains the difference between grief and depression, why both can coexist, and how social expectations and “holiday perfectionism” can make it harder for us to honor what we’re truly feeling. She shares compassionate, practical strategies for setting boundaries, communicating your needs, and letting go of the guilt that often comes with saying “no.”

You’ll also learn Krista’s “N-O-W Method”—a simple three-step process for sitting with emotions instead of resisting them:

• Name what you’re feeling
• Open to it
• Witness the physical sensations until they pass

The conversation closes with a powerful reminder: If someone’s going to be disappointed this holiday season, make sure it’s not you.

Primary Topics Covered:

• How grief and depression overlap but differ in focus
• Why holidays amplify emotional pain and loneliness
• How social “shoulds” worsen depression during celebrations
• The importance of rewriting family rituals after loss
• How to communicate your needs to others
• Setting healthy boundaries without guilt
• How to stop “pre-feeling” bad emotions before events
• Using the N-O-W method to process feelings mindfully
• What to do when loved ones can’t understand your grief
• How to honor your emotions instead of performing for others

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and welcome
01:45 – Grief vs. depression: how they overlap and differ
04:25 – Understanding grief as a response to all kinds of loss
07:00 – How accomplishments can unexpectedly trigger grief
08:10 – The pressure of “holiday happiness” and unrealistic expectations
09:28 – Giving yourself permission to change traditions
10:21 – Communicating your needs to family and friends
11:13 – Handling pushback and advocating for yourself
12:17 – Respecting different ways of grieving within families
13:06 – Avoiding “should” thinking during the holidays
13:28 – How anticipating bad feelings makes things worse
14:34 – Learning to feel your feelings with the N-O-W method
17:48 – When loved ones expect you to act happy
18:04 – Boundaries: “Someone’s going to be disappointed—don’t let it be you”
19:37 – Why feeling guilty often means you’re doing the right thing
20:12 – Grieving lost dreams and unmet expectations
21:08 – The value of mindfulness and emotional witnessing
22:49 – Giving others permission to be disappointed
23:25 – Reframing conflict and emotional honesty
25:32 – Challenging the expectation to “perform” happiness
26:10 – The lack of grief education in our culture
26:40 – Depression and grief: two misunderstood emotional experiences
27:01 – Using EFT (tapping) to manage difficult feelings
27:18 – Closing reflections and hope for the holidays

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/