21 Motivational Quotes To Help With Depression
Depression packs a hard punch. But fighting – and beating – depression is possible. Here are some quotes from men who know what it’s like.
“You have the strength to recover.”
Depression packs a hard punch and can leave us feeling disconnected, uncertain, and stuck, but fighting – and beating – depression is possible.
One of the best motivators for overcoming depression is knowing that others have been through it—and come out the other side.
We’ve shared over 100 recovery stories from men who have fought and beaten anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. These stories include many inspirational quotes about depression that prove recovery is possible.
We’ve divided up the quotes into key themes, use the links below to jump directly to these sections:
- Uplifting Depression Quotes
- Quotes on Reaching Out for Support
- Conquering Depression Quotes
- Taking Action: Quotes on Moving Forward
- Depression Quotes for Men
These quotes offer guidance and hope for anyone looking to find strength and support on their mental health journey toward recovery.
Uplifting Depression Quotes
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“The major turning point in my recovery was realizing that I was judging myself so harshly for what I perceived was a failure to be “normal”. The grace I was offering to others, I wasn’t offering to myself. Once I gave myself a break, I began to have a better relationship with my depression.”
– Steven’s Story, Fashion and Lifestyle Creator
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“I know that this sounds like some empty self-help slogan, but it’s my #1 rule. Be kind to yourself, appreciate the highs and lows, and the things you are able to do. Remember to treat yourself like you’d treat a loved one.”
– Colin’s Story, Graphic Designer
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“Ridding yourself of depression is not about adding missing pieces to yourself, it is about letting go of all the thoughts that are telling you you’re not already complete.“
– Gogan’s Story, Entrepreneur
Quotes on Reaching Out for Support
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“People won’t know how to help or know that you need help if you don’t communicate it…It’s scary and it feels like people won’t care but you deserve to be heard and should give yourself the opportunity to receive the help, love, and encouragement you need.”
– Ricardo’s Stories, Filmmaker, Writer, and Photographer
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“Battling depression is not a job you want to do alone. You don’t need to tell the world what you are going through, but you do need some people to know in order to get the support you need. I had support from my wife, parents, friends, employer, therapists and many others along the way.”
– Louis’ Story, High School Teacher
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“It finally took reaching out to my friends and family… They reminded me of all the things I bring to the world and the good memories that we shared. This connection with those that I trust and who know me really helped me feel like I wasn’t alone.”
– Joel Robison, Conceptual Photographer
Conquering Depression Quotes
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“Don’t give up, this time of your life is just a period of it. Things will change in time. It’s OK if you feel scared right now, strength comes from being vulnerable and not always knowing the right answers.”
– Jason’s Story, Equestrian Athlete
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“Even when you feel like you will never get out of the darkness, there is always a way out… Lean on any supportive resource you can. Friends, family, colleagues, therapists, your doctor, online resources like HeadsUpGuys, a crisis line, a peer support community… medication if needed, the list goes on… better days are ahead.”
– Dustin’s Story, Men’s Mental Wellness Counsellor
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“The more we hold on to those [negative] thoughts—dwelling in such a dark place in our mind and memory—the harder it becomes for us to find a way out.”
– Mike Alegado, Conceptual and Portrait photographer
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“Recognizing that recovery is a process, makes the bad days less bad and the good days even more enjoyable…Be authentic with yourself and those around you. Your feelings are valid… Once I was honest about the pain and hurt I felt inside, I realized things I liked about myself that I forgot existed. I learned to love the little things again.”
– Jason’s Story, Mental Health Advocate and Speaker
Taking Action: Quotes on Moving Forward
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“Start today with forming one new habit to incorporate into your daily life – reach out to an old friend, take up a passion project, finish the book you’ve been eyeing, set your alarm one hour earlier to go for a walk. Next week add another. They talk about the power of compounding interest in finance and investing, however no one talks about the power of compounding when applied to habits and your own mental health.”
– Burke’s Story, Entrepreneur
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“Trust in your ability to recover and be relentless in your efforts towards reaching it. Depression isn’t something you can outthink or ‘solve’ on your own.”
Josh’s Story, Program Manager for HeadsUpGuys
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“Don’t hold in your emotions. Cry if you need to. Rip up loads of paper, go for a jog, knead some dough. Do something productive to let your feelings out. They are always better out of your head!”
— Joe’s Story, Social Media Marketing
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“Depression can be developed over a long period of time as a result of learned thought patterns – whether consciously or unconsciously. If there is any truth to that, then it is possible to ‘unlearn’ depression. This gave me hope.”
– Spencer’s Story, Web Developer, Marketer, Blogger, and Musician
Depression Quotes for Men
Masculine ideals of stoicism, independence, and resilience can be beneficial in everyday life, but when it comes to mental health, they often become barriers that prevent men from seeking support when they need it most.
This has been a recurring theme, with many inspiring men’s mental health quotes in our recovery stories, as exemplified by the following:
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“I felt so much shame being a young man struggling with depression…I was so afraid of how people might label or judge me. And then when I just shed those limiting beliefs… I realized that it’s just a part of the human experience… Don’t buy into the lie that to struggle with mental health means you are any less of a person or a man.”
– Kevin’s Story, Author, Comedian, and Activist
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“The biggest piece of advice that I could give is to get rid of the MAN UP STIGMA; it has no place in your life. It takes a strong man to show his vulnerability… For years I lived by ‘manning up’, and it almost took my life… I want you to remember that you are stronger than you think. There is help out there and you are not alone.”
– Justin’s Story, Inspirational Speaker and Certified Professional Coach
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“Don’t be silent. A ‘strong and stoic’ man is a misnomer. The most strength comes from an honest and non-judgmental look in the mirror… If you need help, get it. If you need someone to talk to, there is someone that will listen. Convincing yourself that you can ‘tough it out’ or ‘walk it off’… couldn’t be further from the truth.”
– Andrew’s Story, Professional Golfer
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“I had walled myself off so much that my daughter, who was 12 at the time, told me that she believed I didn’t love her because I wouldn’t interact with her. I was terrified of shedding my trauma on to my kids – and I was doing it anyway. Ask yourself if you’re doing the same thing… Stopping that cycle is about as masculine as it gets. Giving them a better life than you had doesn’t mean just buying them new things.”
– Russel’s Story, Small Business Owner
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“Putting a lid on my feelings… created a toxicity within me that would manifest as persistent anxiety, difficulty finding motivation to do anything, a decreased sex drive, and engaging in a variety of negative behaviours that were harmful to myself and everyone my life touched. The most important thing to realize is that you are not alone and you are far from the only person struggling to live up to that invisible standard of masculinity.”
– Matt’s Story, Digital Marketer
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“Early on I was asking the why’s and why me… that rumination of my problem… the real accountability that I needed to take was what do I want my future to be? Today I get to live that future… I get to be one of many guys now who are talking about depression, talking about mental health… let’s bring this conversation out of the shadows… treatment is available and recovery is possible.”
– Aidan’s Story, Mental Health Advocate and Entrepreneur
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“I had come to realize that I was living my life in a state of robotic autonomy. Get up. Go to work. Go home. Sleep. Repeat… constantly chasing the American dream… Be a good provider, be successful, have money, own a home, have a wife, children, a dog. You know the one. It may sound cliche to say that I found salvation on the back of a motorcycle, but it’s true… I can make my own path and it feels exhilarating.”
Chris’ Story, Motorcycle Adventurist