Depression in College: Emily’s Story of Struggle and Survival

Giving Voice to Depression

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Emily Director shares her deeply personal journey through depression, beginning with her struggles during college. From the overwhelming loneliness she felt at Brown University to building peer-support initiatives at Penn, Emily’s story reflects both the pain and resilience of living with depression. She opens up about her diagnosis, hospitalization, and the importance of peer support, therapy, and reframing how we view emotions. Her honesty sheds light on what it’s really like to live with severe depression and how small steps, community, and understanding can make a difference.

Link to Cereal for Dinner's website: https://www.cerealfordinner.org/

Primary Topics Covered:

• Emily’s early struggles with depression in college
• The role of environment in mental health
• Leaving medical school and identity loss
• Hospitalization, ECT treatments, and living with chronic depression
• Learning to accept and process “negative” emotions
• The fear of recovery and losing support
• The importance of peer support and community

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction by hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanchez
01:23 – Introduction of guest Emily Director
03:05 – Emily’s academic background and Ivy League pressures
03:42 – Depression and loneliness at Brown University
04:26 – Family history of mental illness (“the Director curse”)
05:17 – Transferring schools and finding mental health advocacy at Penn
06:46 – Creating a peer counseling program and mental health screening tool
07:26 – Depression as a spectrum, varying by person and episode
08:53 – Struggles in medical school and worsening depression
10:01 – Leaving medical school, identity crisis, and hospitalization
11:32 – Role of therapy and recognizing PTSD
12:11 – Reframing emotions: learning to accept sadness and negative feelings
13:35 – Naming emotions and reducing panic about sadness
15:20 – Depression as an ongoing, waxing-and-waning condition
16:18 – Experiencing joy again after years of numbness
17:02 – Fears about losing support during recovery
18:32 – The daily struggle of completing basic tasks during depression
19:17 – Co-host reflections on debilitating depression
20:30 – Importance of practical tips for daily functioning (next week’s episode preview)
21:38 – Power of peer support and Facebook community invitation
22:27 – Call for listener engagement and feedback
22:47 – Closing thoughts and preview of Emily’s website/resource sharing

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