How do you explain depression to a child?

For Todd Rennebohm, that question became deeply personal.

After years of living with depression, anxiety, ADHD, alcoholism, suicidal thoughts, and multiple hospitalizations, Todd found himself facing one of the darkest nights of his life. What began as a desperate attempt to leave something behind for his children eventually became Sometimes Daddy Cries, a children's book designed to help families talk openly about mental health.

In this Father's Day special episode, Todd shares the powerful story behind the book and the lessons he learned as a father navigating depression and recovery.

Together, Todd, Terry, and Dr. Anita Sanz discuss:

•  What depression really feels like beyond "sadness" 
•  Why children need honest, age-appropriate conversations about mental health 
•  How depression can affect parenting and family dynamics 
•  The connection between depression, addiction, ADHD, and anxiety 
•  Why hospitalization can be an important part of recovery 
•  The unique stigma faced by men with depression 
•  How parents can help children understand mental illness without fear 
•  Why hope, treatment, and support matter 

This conversation is a reminder that depression is an illness, not a character flaw. And just like a physical illness, it deserves understanding, treatment, and compassion.

For fathers who struggle. For families who love them. And for children trying to understand what they're seeing, this episode offers honesty, hope, and language that helps.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Depression in fathers
• Men's mental health
• Parenting with depression
• Explaining depression to children
• Children's mental health education
• Addiction and recovery
• Suicidal thoughts and hospitalization
• ADHD and depression
• Mental health stigma in men
• Hope after depression

Timestamps:

00:01:50 – Meet Todd and the story behind Sometimes Daddy Cries
00:02:38 – Writing the book during a suicidal crisis
00:04:03 – Asking for help and choosing treatment
00:04:39 – Reading from the book: "Sometimes Daddy cries"
00:05:11 – What depression really feels like beyond sadness
00:07:10 – Why Todd compares depression to a tummy ache
00:08:24 – Explaining mental illness to children
00:09:39 – Hospitalization and recovery
00:11:22 – Learning from mistakes as a parent
00:12:05 – Why the book helps fathers feel less alone
00:12:31 – The message Todd hopes children take away
00:13:01 – The message Todd hopes men take away
00:14:37 – Why children shouldn't blame themselves for a parent's depression
00:15:38 – Why treatment, support, and love create hope
00:16:08 – The hidden epidemic of depression in men
00:17:02 – The danger of not talking about mental illness in families

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/