Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMeet Melissa BernsteinWhy Melissa Bernstein Is Mentally StrongWhat You’ll Hear on the ShowWhat You’ll Learn About Existential Depression and Mental StrengthQuotes From MelissaMore About the Podcast

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Meet Melissa Bernstein

Why Melissa Bernstein Is Mentally Strong

What You’ll Hear on the Show

What You’ll Learn About Existential Depression and Mental Strength

Quotes From Melissa

More About the Podcast

Close

OnThe Verywell Mind Podcast, Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews authors, experts, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life.

If you’ve ever encountered a Melissa & Doug toy, you know who Melissa Bernstein is. She’s the co-founder of the company who designs all of their amazing toys.

What you might not know about Melissa is that she has also battled depression her entire life. She never understood what was going on with her until she learned about“existential” depression.

When she learned that her struggles had a name, she instantly felt better. And she began meeting other people who could relate to her experience.

Now, she’s written a book called Lifelines and launched a website to help other people who may be experiencing existential depression.

It takes a lot of mental strength to battle depression. And when you feel depressed, your brain will try to convince you that there’s no hope and nothing will work.

Melissa chose to talk to a therapist. She also decided to write a book and create a website that offers free resources to other people.

Her desire to keep growing and learning and her willingness to share what she is learning is proof she is mentally strong.

You aren’t either “depressed” or “not depressed.” Depression comes in several different forms and severities.

Existential depression isn’t a clinical diagnosis that can be found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

As Melissa discovered, existential depression is very real. And it was hard for her to understand even though she was living it.

You can still build mental strength, however, when you’re battling a mental health issue like depression. It’s all about the choices you make every day.

Melissa BernsteinIf you haven’t filled the gaping hole within and really accepted yourself for who you are and everything you are—your highs, your lows, your in-betweens, your quirks—you will never truly be at peace.

Melissa Bernstein

If you haven’t filled the gaping hole within and really accepted yourself for who you are and everything you are—your highs, your lows, your in-betweens, your quirks—you will never truly be at peace.

The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, pleaseleave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too.

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