Victoria's Story

In this week’s episode of I’ll Start, Victoria shares her story of depression, anxiety, and the quiet belief that she is a burden. A season of college transition left her feeling disconnected from friends, failing classes, and stuck in a cycle of numbness, panic, and loneliness. On the outside she kept showing up, but on the inside she wondered if anyone saw her, or if she even mattered to God.

One night in church, a sermon left her feeling exposed instead of comforted. As she tried to slip out unseen, a woman stopped her to pray and spoke specific words of truth that confronted the lies in her mind, “You are seen. You are loved. Do not give up.” After Victoria’s story, Heather talks about attachment ruptures, how loneliness and broken connection can register as danger in the brain, and why that can create a perfect storm of depression, panic, and withdrawal. Morgan reflects on how we often transfer our experiences with people onto God, what Scripture says about truth setting us free, and the courage it takes to let ourselves be truly seen in community.

Key Takeaways

• Attachment ruptures and changing relationships can fuel loneliness and become a setup for anxiety and depression
• Our brains can interpret emotional disconnection as physical danger, which can trigger fight, flight, or freeze responses
• Shame says “I am the problem,” and often makes truth feel exposing instead of comforting
• God often uses safe, courageous people to “co-regulate” us and speak truth into the lies we carry
• Healing usually starts with one brave step, telling the truth about what we are feeling and letting someone in

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One of the most difficult parts of mental health struggle is feeling alone. Shame, fear, and stigma keep us isolated and reinforce the belief I am the only one who struggles with mental health. When someone shares their struggle with us, suddenly we have hope. Even when pain is present, there is something so healing about being in community. How do we build a community in the middle of our struggle?

Someone needs to start the conversation.

Most of the time we are hoping someone else will be the one to do it. What if we stopped waiting on others and told our story. What if we said, “I’ll start.” “I’ll Start” is a podcast where individuals bravely share their stories, listen with compassion, and connect through their faith and mental health experiences.

Each episode of “I’ll Start” highlights a personal story of mental health challenge, endurance, and hope. At the end of each episode, you will receive mental health tools and theological truth from our Co-hosts, Morgan Arseneau and Heather Kaloupek.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, call 9-8-8 to speak to a professional 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You are not alone.