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If, like us, you're mental-health tools are a little worn out with the pandemic and other stressors and challenges of the past year, the idea of tracking your symptoms might be worth exploring. Notes can give us an objective, quantifiable way to recognize changes in our mental health. And the information could help professionals and other members of our support team, too. The information could also allow us to get ahead of a slide, if we notice it before we're too impacted to be able to react and step-up self-care efforts. Article links: https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/ways-to-stay-steady-with-bipolar-disorder https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/winter-and-low-mood Mental Health Apps https://www.psycom.net/25-best-mental-health-apps

If, like us, you're mental-health tools are a little worn out with the pandemic and other stressors and challenges of the past year, the idea of tracking your symptoms might be worth exploring. Notes can give us an objective, quantifiable way to recognize changes in our mental health. And the information could help professionals and other members of our support team, too. The information could also allow us to get ahead of a slide, if we notice it before we're too impacted to be able to react and step-up self-care efforts. Article links: https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/ways-to-stay-steady-with-bipolar-disorder https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/winter-and-low-mood Mental Health Apps https://www.psycom.net/25-best-mental-health-apps

"The stigma of mental illness" What does that really mean? Is it a real thing? Does it matter? YES! Stigma is very real and the fact people are judged (and/or fear being judged) for having a mental-health diagnosis discourages many from seeking help or treatment. This short (15-minute) podcast is the 2nd in an 3-part series on stigma. Depression is not a choice. Ignorance and discrimination are.

The phrase "stigma of mental illness" is at once overused and not understood. What does it mean? Why does it matter? Why should I care? In the second of a 3-part series on 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. https://www.mhanational.org/b4stage4-philosophy

We've all heard the phrase "stigma of mental illness." But what does it mean and how can "fight it?" One of the world's leading researchers in the matter, Dr. Patrick Corrigan, says the most-effective way is by speaking openly and shamelessly about what's going on in our minds and bodies. Corrigan lives with and manages a number of mental-health challenges, and when he and others (like our podcast guests) say "this is what I live with, here's how it challenges me, these are my warning signs, my treatments and self-care tools," we're starting discussion that open eyes and hearts and show vs. "educate" people that those of us living with mental-health challenges are "as competent, able and empowered as everybody else."

Today's guest, Michael Landsberg, founder of SickNotWeak, "a statement, a community, a movement," discusses the role antidepressants have had in his mental-health journey. Does he like being on meds? No. Does he like their side effects? No. Does he hate his depression more? Absolutely! Listen in as two mental-health advocates discuss the role meds have had in their depression-management and how to talk with someone who may be taking them off the table. https://www.sicknotweak.com/

A holistic therapist addresses the need for and importance ot hope, and offers some of the advice she gives her own clients. Lauren Bittner, who has extensive experience treating anxiety, depression and addiction, speaks compassionately and realistically about the challenges of being human in 2021. https://lauren1bittner.wixsite.com/instillhope

No matter how dark a place you are or have been, and how alone you felt when you were there, there are others who have had similar experiences and made it out. By sharing their stories/experiences they also light a path out for us to follow. Jordan is one such person. He freely shares about his lowest points, knowing that his lived experience is a way to connect with others and show them that recovery is real and possible. Please take 19 minutes to listen.

2020 challenged us on many levels including economic, political, social justice, overall health and mental health. Licensed psychologist R. Kweku Smith joins us for a look back-- while also focusing on what we can do to maintain or restore our mental health as we try to recover and move on from this unprecedented year.

The list of things that feel or are out of our control right now is long. But for most of us, breath is something we can access anytime and breathing consciously is a quick, free and effective form of meditation. Our guest, Ambrose WB, joined us for a casual, honest and potentially-healing conversation about taking and keeping control during this pandemic, and any other time. 19-minute episode. https://skyschools.org/

Last week we observed Veteran's Day. This, and every day, we have the opportunity to help connect with and support the veterans in our lives. In the second of this 2-part episode, we continue our conversation with VA Psychologist Dr. Michael McBride about the challenges vets are having during this pandemic and how civilians can help keep them connected and safe. https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/be-there-for-veterans.html

The military veteran world is a culture to itself. While that provides connection on one level, it can cause feelings of disconnect on others. Dr. Michael McBride, a veteran and Veteran's Administration psychiatrist who treats and supports vets with some level of mental-health distress including PTSD and depression. In the first of a 2-part interview, we ask Dr. McBride if the pandemic has impacted his clients' mental health, and what veterans can do to protect themselves and manage their challenges. Next week we'll look at ways civilians, including family and friends can help the veterans in their lives. Thank you for your service and the sacrifices it required. Resource links: https://www.veteranscrisisline.nedt/ https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/be-there-for-veterans.html https://servingtogetherproject.org/ https://www.facebook.com/RRHouseMHA/

Living with a mental illness can be quite challenging. Living with and caring for someone with a condition like depression or bipolar disorder, especially a parent, can be "punishing." That's the word this week's guest, Michelle Dickinson, uses to describe being the child (and sometimes caretaker) of a mother with bipolar disorder. It's a candid conversation between two women who understand and experience the impact of growing up with unpredictability, confusion and fear. https://www.michelleedickinson.com/ https://www.michelleedickinson.com/protecting-our-happy/ https://breakingintomylife.com/

We need all the help we can get to deal with the unrelenting blows of 2020. And Mindful Self Compassion offers tools that can help us. This bonus track is a 9-minute guided MSC practice, with Dr. Barbara Moser, a Mindful Self Compassion teacher, mental health and suicide-prevention advocate and retired physician. Feel free to download this so it's handy if/when you need it.

2020 is testing us. Even the most resilient among us are feeling the strain. Our reserves are depleted. Mindful Self Compassion offers tools that can help us help ourselves; taking short, needed breaks to re-ground and re-frame, speaking to ourselves as we would a dear friend, and deep-breathing. Our guest, Dr. Barbara Moser, is a MSC teacher, a fierce mental health and suicide-prevention advocate, and a retired medical doctor. She talks about the times, how MSC can help, and then leads us through two practices, teaching us the simple, proven-effective techniques. It's 24 minutes that could make a lifetime of difference if the tools appeal to you. https://self-compassion.org/ link to BONUS MSC Practice: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/bonus-track-a-brief-mindful-self-compassion-practice Link to Barbara's first episode: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/mindfulness-and-self-compassion-for-these-stressful-times Link to Barbara's MSC site: CompassionMKE.com

In these upside-down and unpredictable times, it can feel like everything is out of our control. That makes tools like mindfulness and self compassion even more important since they are readily-accessible tools that can help us regulate and cope with difficult emotions. And when life finally settles (which it will!) these valuable tools will still be available in our self-care and depression-management toolboxes. Link to more information, exercises and research: self-compassion.org/ Link to research on mindfulness American Mindfulness Research Association: goamra.org/resources/reviewsmeta-analysis/

"How Are You?" It used to be almost a throw-away question, with the expected answer "fine." Not anymore. Between a deadly and lingering global pandemic, contentious and divided election season, civil unrest over systemic racism, job losses and the countless changes to our everyday routines, these are trying times. To put it mildly. Our guest this week, podcast listener Hobbs, says his emotions have never been more mercurial or closer to the surface. Can you relate?

In just 21 minutes, you can sample more than a dozen recent episodes of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast. Interviews in this episode focus on mental health during the pandemic and others produced specifically for Suicide Prevention Month. If you're curious about a podcast on depression, whether it would "be depressing," etc. this is an easy way to sample. Thank you for listening. You are not alone. You DO matter. Depression lies. Links to full episodes: 146: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/could-covid-19-finally-destigmatize-mental-illnenss 147: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/147-returning-to-work-saaire-salton 148: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/148-mental-health-on-the-covid-frontline 149: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/149-stigma-v-recovery-bipolar-disorder-pt1 150: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/150-stigma-vs-recovery-bipolar-disorder-part2 151: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/151-putting-the-breaks-on-a-racing-mind 152: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/152-children-and-depression-susan-ringle 153: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/153-how-the-lies-i-believed-lead-me-to-attempt-suicide-1 154: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/suicide-prevention-month-compilation1 155: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/suicide-prevention-month-compilation1 156: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/156-a-plan-to-keep-you-well-and-safe 157: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/157-planning-for-a-possible-mental-health-crisis

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, warn us if/when we (or our minds) start to wander into Less-Good Places, and can protect us and give us some control in a mental-health crisisi. In this episode, Katrina Copple, an advanced-level WRAP facilitator, continues walking us through the process of making a personalized WRAP plan-- something we create when we're well, to speak to and for us when we are not. links: https://copelandcenter.com/ https://mentalhealthrecovery.com/info-center/ www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/WRAP.pdf

If you are thinking that you don't matter, that you're a failure and a burden and that things will never get better- STOP. Take 21 minutes to listen to a group of people who have had those same thoughts. Some acted on them and lived to regret their attempts. Others came close. ALL are talking to you, offering the powerful message that things can and do get better. TRUST THEM, not depression. Links mentioned in podcast: Columbia Protocol Questionnaire: https://cssrs.columbia.edu/the-columbia-scale-c-ssrs/cssrs-for-families-friends-and-neighbors/ Full episodes with the people featured: https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/113-things-can-and-do-get-better https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/114-im-glad-i-survived-jeannine-part-2 https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/a-suicide-attempt-survivors-story-of-hope-mark-henick https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/if-you-see-something-say-something https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/120-instant-regret https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/123-i-didnt-know-what-to-do https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/act-before-a-crisis-maintaining-mental-health https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/crisis-lines-save-lives-corinne-purtill https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/black-mental-health-matters https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/survivor-steve https://soundcloud.com/givingvoicetodepression/this-is-her-brave