When life tilts toward the darker edge of the calendar and motivation feels out of reach, clarity can be a lifeline. We open up about the real shape of clinical depression—how it differs from a bad day—and why naming it accurately unlocks better care, safer choices, and a path back to purpose. Mikey shares candid stories from combat deployments, a recent divorce, and the pull toward isolation, and we unpack how trauma experiences echo through the body and mind long after the moment passes.
Together, we lay out a practical toolkit for getting unstuck. We break down routines that steady sleep and energy, explain behavioral activation in plain language, and share small, doable actions that nudge momentum without relying on motivation. We explore mindfulness, breathwork, and the critical difference between solitude and loneliness, especially as seasonal changes amplify low mood. You’ll hear why trauma‑informed care matters, how to balance therapy and medication decisions, and what to consider when substance use slips in as a quick fix that backfires later. We also reframe productivity as purposeful action—simple wins that restore agency and reconnect you to what matters most.
If you’re recognizing warning signs for yourself or someone you love, we talk through first steps: reach out to a trusted person, connect with a mental health professional, and build a safety plan with clear signals, coping strategies, and crisis contacts. Even on hard days, your presence and choices create real impact. Press play for grounded guidance, honest insight from a veteran’s perspective, and reminders that support works and hope is practical.
If this resonated, follow and subscribe for more conversations on mental health, share this episode with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find these resources. Your story and your voice matter.
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Episode Transcript
You and listening to the People Station on
GreatdayRadio.com.
SPEAKER_01 (00:04):
I'm DJ D Marie, and with me today is mental health
advocate DJ Mikey D.
It has been a while since welast collaborated on a podcast.
How are you doing, Mikey?
SPEAKER_00 (00:14):
Thanks for having me, D.
Really excited to talk aboutsomething so important,
especially with October beingDepression Awareness Month.
Speaking of depression, as youknow, I suffer with depression
myself, so while I do notdisplay it openly, it has been a
challenge as of lately.
There is so much to talk about.
I've started my journey toreturn to school to achieve my
(00:36):
master degree in social work.
It's very exciting.
Certainly I have had somechallenges personally as far as
health and the separation frommy kiddos has devastated me, but
I am managing day by day.
SPEAKER_01 (00:48):
Wow.
So much going on with you,Mikey.
First, are you yourself gettinghelp to cope with your own
depression?
Also, congratulations onstarting school again.
Very excited for you.
Ironically, as I was thinkingabout this topic, I could not
help but to think of you.
We have shared and discussed somuch about your life over time.
I recall our discussion aboutour own personal traumas as
(01:11):
children.
We also discussed a great dealabout your time fighting
multiple combat tours whileserving in the army.
While it brings me to thispoint, that I think there's
still a lot of confusion outthere about what depression
actually is.
People will say, I'm feelingdepressed when they're just
having a bad day.
(01:31):
But clinical depression issomething different, right?
SPEAKER_00 (01:35):
Exactly.
And that's such an importantdistinction.
Everyone experiences low moods.
That's part of being human.
But clinical depression is morepersistent, it lasts longer, and
it significantly interferes withyour daily functioning.
We're talking about changes insleep, appetite, energy levels,
concentration.
As for me, I have to admit Ihave been reluctant to seek
(01:58):
help.
I think pride has much to dowith it.
I think mental health outcome isdifferent for men than women.
As a combat veteran, I findoften that VA doctors just want
to shove meds down my throat andcall it good.
Many of them had not experiencedwhat most veteran have
experienced.
Of course, that is a discussionin itself.
SPEAKER_01 (02:17):
And it's not just feeling sad.
I've heard people describe it asthis overwhelming emptiness or
hopelessness that just doesn'tlift.
Listening to you, Mikey, you aresuch a happy-go-lucky guy.
You always have a positivemindset every time.
So it is hard to imagine youstruggle with depression and the
severity.
I have to ask, is it to a degreeyou feel harmful to yourself, or
(02:40):
do you have invading thoughts?
SPEAKER_00 (02:43):
First, thank you, DJ D for your love and concern.
Have I thought about ending mylife due to depression?
Yes, many times I have.
Sure, I have invading thoughts.
Would I ever follow through?
Absolutely not.
I have so much to live for.
Besides, I have to put myself inthe shoes of my kiddos and how
they would be traumatized, andthat's why awareness months like
(03:04):
this are so crucial to discuss.
October was chosen specificallybecause we're heading into those
darker, shorter days when manypeople experience seasonal
worsening.
It's about preparing communitiesand reducing stigma.
SPEAKER_01 (03:17):
Which brings us to an important point.
If someone is experiencingsuicidal thoughts or is in
immediate danger, they need tocall emergency services right
away.
No hesitation.
SPEAKER_00 (03:28):
Absolutely critical.
And for anyone listening whomight be struggling, I want to
emphasize that seekingprofessional help such as a
social worker is the first andmost important step.
While I am not a fan ofmedications, for some it may
help regulate your thoughts andemotions.
A mental health professional canhelp create a treatment plan
(03:48):
that might include therapy,medication, or both.
SPEAKER_01 (03:51):
What about some of the coping strategies people can
use while they're getting thatprofessional support?
Because I know when you'redepressed, even small tasks can
feel overwhelming.
SPEAKER_00 (04:02):
That's so true.
One of the most helpful thingsis establishing routines, even
basic ones for sleep, meals, andphysical activity.
Something as simple as a shortdaily walk can make a real
difference in energy levels.
SPEAKER_01 (04:15):
I love that.
And what about the socialisolation piece?
Because depression often makespeople want to withdraw.
Mikey, you mentioned that you gointo isolation mode frequently.
How do you get yourself out ofit?
Also, what triggers it?
SPEAKER_00 (04:30):
That isolation can really worsen depression.
Great questions.
For me, sometimes I wake up andjust feel like shutting the
world out.
I think for me it is a copingmechanism for my childhood
traumas.
It is also how I dealt withstress and losses while deployed
during my time in the army.
Of course, having recently gonethrough a sudden divorce and the
(04:50):
separation from my kids and mydogs has triggered me and
continues to trigger me.
So that is why staying connectedwith trusted friends or family,
even when you don't feel likeit, is so important.
Support groups can be incrediblyhelpful too.
There's something powerful aboutrealizing you're not alone in
what you're experiencing.
SPEAKER_01 (05:08):
Wow.
Thank you for sharing that partof you.
Just know if you ever feelisolated and need to talk, I am
here for you, Mikey.
And what about this concept ofbehavioral activation?
I've heard mental healthprofessionals talk about that.
Being that you are studying thissubject in school, I am positive
you will have great insights.
SPEAKER_00 (05:29):
Yes.
It's about planning small,rewarding activities to counter
that lack of motivation.
When you're depressed, you waitto feel motivated before you
act, but with behavioralactivation, you act first, and
the motivation often follows.
SPEAKER_01 (05:44):
That's such a shift in thinking.
Instead of waiting to feelbetter to do things, you do
things to start feeling better.
SPEAKER_00 (05:52):
Exactly.
And mindfulness practices, deepbreathing, these aren't just
buzzwords.
They actually help with moodregulation.
Also, addressing substance useis crucial because alcohol and
drugs can significantly worsendepression symptoms.
SPEAKER_01 (06:06):
I want to touch on something you mentioned earlier
about trauma.
How does that connect todepression?
SPEAKER_00 (06:12):
Trauma is an emotional response to
experiences that feelincomprehensible, and it has a
direct impact on both our mindsand bodies.
Having discussed this element ofself-care, I can't help but
recall how my commanders in theArmy would often stress physical
exercise during deployments tomanage depression.
(06:33):
With that, unaddressed traumacan absolutely contribute to or
worsen depression.
That's why trauma-informed careis so important in mental health
treatment.
SPEAKER_01 (06:43):
And what about the whole concept of being alone
versus being lonely?
Because I think that's reallyrelevant here.
SPEAKER_00 (06:49):
They're definitely not the same thing.
Some solitude can be healthy andrestorative, but loneliness,
that feeling of isolation anddisconnection, can contribute to
depression.
Finding that balance is key.
SPEAKER_01 (07:03):
I'm also thinking about productivity and
happiness.
There's this misconception thatyou have to choose between being
productive and being happy, butthat's not really true, is it?
SPEAKER_00 (07:13):
Not at all.
When we talk about productivityin the context of mental health,
we're not talking about grindingyourself into the ground.
We're talking about finding,fulfilling activities that give
you a sense of purpose andaccomplishment.
That kind of productivity canactually increase overall
happiness.
SPEAKER_01 (07:31):
What about that feeling when life just feels
off?
I think many of us experiencethat from time to time.
SPEAKER_00 (07:38):
That unsettled feeling is often a signal that
something needs attention.
If we ignore it, what was alittle off can become way off.
Periodically evaluating oursatisfaction with life is
actually a healthy practice.
Life is meant to be anevolution, a series of changes
that create new opportunities.
SPEAKER_01 (07:58):
Well said, Mikey.
Which brings us to change.
It's inevitable, but so many ofus resist it.
SPEAKER_00 (08:04):
We can't prevent change, but we can learn to
manage it.
Some change we chooseintentionally, other change we
have to react to out ofnecessity.
Embracing change as a naturalpart of life helps us be ready
when it comes.
SPEAKER_01 (08:17):
Before we wrap up, I want to talk about impact.
When people are depressed, theyoften feel like they don't
matter or can't make adifference.
What are your thoughts, Mikey?
SPEAKER_00 (08:28):
That's such an important point.
The truth is, we're making animpact every single day, in both
big and small ways.
You don't need a team or someorganized mechanism to make a
difference.
Your actions, your words, yourpresence, they all have an
effect.
Even when you're struggling, youhave the power to make an
intentional impact on the worldaround you.
SPEAKER_01 (08:50):
Mikey, for someone who's listening and might be
recognizing some of thesedepression symptoms in
themselves or a loved one, whatwould be your first piece of
advice?
SPEAKER_00 (09:01):
Reach out, whether it's to a mental health
professional, a trusted friend,or a family member.
You don't have to navigate thisalone.
And if you're having thoughts ofsuicide or self-harm, please
seek help immediately.
Creating a safety plan,identifying warning signs,
coping strategies, and emergencyresources can be life-saving.
SPEAKER_01 (09:22):
Thank you so much, Mikey.
This has been incrediblyinformative and important.
For our listeners, we'll haveresources in the show notes,
including crisis hotlines andinformation about finding mental
health support in your area.
Also, please visit GreatdayRadio Bootcamp.com for our
ebooks and journals ondepression, mental health, and
much more.
That iswww.greatdayradiobootcamp.com.
SPEAKER_00 (09:48):
Thanks for having me, D.
Remember everyone, your mentalhealth matters, and there is
hope and help available.
SPEAKER_01 (09:54):
That's all for this episode of Great Day Radio's
Mindful Moments.
Take care of yourself.
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