In Their
Shoes
A journey of understanding and supporting someone who is battling depression. Real people, real stories, and a bridge between those who suffer and those who love them.
Read or listen to it today.
Available now
Start reading today.
The In Their Shoes eBook, delivered instantly. Read it on your phone, tablet, or computer, and share what you learn with the people you love.
The book she wished she had when she was depressed.
Pamela lives with her husband in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. She faced a long and challenging battle with clinical depression, enduring multiple hospitalizations, years of therapy, and many different medications. Despite the care she received, she reached a point where she made a serious suicide attempt, and miraculously survived.
Throughout her journey, her husband, like many caregivers, often felt helpless and unsure of how to help. To offer guidance to others, Pamela interviewed people she met along the way, including friends, family, and fellow survivors. Their responses, shared anonymously, are included in her book.
She wrote In Their Shoes to help those struggling with depression feel seen and understood, and to give loved ones the tools to offer meaningful support. Her hope is that every reader finds comfort, connection, and the reassurance that they are not alone.
You are not alone. Understanding is the first step toward healing.
- Survivor of clinical depression and a suicide attempt
- Real stories from about 30 people, shared anonymously
- Written for those struggling and those who love them
- Healing is possible, and nobody has to walk alone
"I wrote this book because I believe understanding is the first step toward healing, not just for those with depression, but for everyone who loves them."
Stay close,
stay connected.
Be the first to hear when new and free downloadable resources are ready, plus notes from Pamela along the way.
Inside the Book
What you will find in these pages.
Pamela interviewed about 30 people she met along her journey: friends, family, and fellow survivors. Their honest answers are shared anonymously, along with her own story.
01, Real Stories, Real People
What helps, and what hurts.
A few lessons from the people in the book. The right words will not cure depression, but they can make someone feel a little less alone.
What helps
- Just being there, even in silence
- "I am here for you. You are not alone."
- Bringing a meal or helping with small daily tasks
- Listening without trying to fix everything
- Checking in regularly, even when they do not reply
- Being patient with bad days and slow progress
What hurts
- "Just snap out of it" or "Think positive"
- "Other people have it much worse"
- "But you have so much to be happy about"
- Offering advice nobody asked for
- Taking their withdrawal personally
- Treating them as if they are choosing to feel this way
Videos
Videos by Pamela
Short videos about depression, caregiving, and the stories behind the book. Follow Pamela on TikTok for more.
Free resources, coming soon.
Pamela is creating downloadable PDFs for readers and caregivers. Join the list to get them first.
What to Say Guide
A short, printable list of kind words and phrases to use, and ones to avoid, when someone you love is struggling.
Check-In Cards
Simple prompts for checking in with a loved one, or with yourself, on the hard days.
Caregiver Companion
Gentle reminders for partners, parents, and friends on how to support someone without losing themselves.
Words from readers.
What readers say after putting the book into practice with the people they love.
“This book changed how I relate to my daughter. For the first time, I feel like I truly understand what she's going through. It's not just informative, it's transformative.”
“As someone who lives with depression, I finally feel seen. Pamela captured our experience with such accuracy and compassion. I'm giving copies to everyone in my life.”
“A must-read for therapists, counselors, and anyone in the mental health field. The personal stories add a dimension that clinical texts simply cannot provide.”
Also available at these stores.
Prefer your usual bookseller? In Their Shoes is stocked in print and ebook editions across the US and Canada. Audiobook is only available on this site.
- Amazon US Paperback and Kindle Buy In Their Shoes at Amazon US, opens in a new tab
- Amazon Canada Paperback and Kindle Buy In Their Shoes at Amazon Canada, opens in a new tab
- Apple Books eBook Buy In Their Shoes at Apple Books, opens in a new tab
- Barnes & Noble Paperback and Nook Buy In Their Shoes at Barnes & Noble, opens in a new tab
- Bookshop.org Supports local bookstores Buy In Their Shoes at Bookshop.org, opens in a new tab
- Rakuten Kobo US eBook Buy In Their Shoes at Rakuten Kobo US, opens in a new tab
- Rakuten Kobo Canada eBook Buy In Their Shoes at Rakuten Kobo Canada, opens in a new tab
- Indigo Canada Paperback Buy In Their Shoes at Indigo Canada, opens in a new tab
- FriesenPress Paperback Buy In Their Shoes at FriesenPress, opens in a new tab
- Google Play Books eBook Buy In Their Shoes at Google Play Books, opens in a new tab
Good questions, honest answers.
contact
Write to Pamela.
Pamela J. Wells
author · in their shoes
For questions about the book, speaking, media, or just to share your story, email is the best way to reach me. I read every message.