Episode 78: Taming the Black Dog

In this episode of ‘Work Savvy’ Karen Gately talks candidly with guest speaker Adam Blum. Adam is a fire fighter, keynote speaker and author of the book "Easy Target: Taming the Black Dog". 

Adam shares his story of overcoming depression and suicidal ideation. He talks about the various challenges he faced throughout his life, including bullying, ADHD, and learning disabilities. He also credits finding the right psychologist and exercise for his recovery. 

Karen also shares her own story of overcoming mental health challenges. She emphasizes the importance of seeking help and reducing the stigma around mental illness. 

Adam's story: He endured bullying throughout his childhood and was diagnosed with ADHD and learning difficulties. He also has binocular vision, which affects depth perception. As an adult, he was bullied in the workplace and eventually reached a point where he wanted to take his own life. A voice he attributed to his late grandmother intervened, and he called a friend who, after four hours, talked him down. After a three-year journey, he found a therapist who helped him manage his mental health. 

Karen's story: She experienced childhood abuse as well as bullying in school and was later diagnosed with depression. At her lowest point, she considered suicide but found the strength to call a helpline. Therapy helped her understand the link between her childhood experiences and her mental health. 

Coping mechanisms: Both Adam and Karen discuss various strategies that have helped them manage their mental health, including:  

  • Journaling 

  • Visualization 

  • Gratitude exercises 

  • Exercise 

  • Meditation 

  • Finding a therapist 

  • Positive self-talk 

  • Having a purpose in life 

Adam highlights the value of faith for him in staying mentally healthy. 

Karen emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and reframing negative self-talk. 

Key Points

  • Sharing stories of overcoming mental health challenges can help others realize they are not alone and there is hope for recovery. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness and it's also important to find healthy coping mechanisms that work for you. 

  • Believe that there are people out there who care and want to help, even if it's just with a listening ear or a hug. There are also resources available to help people who are struggling, such as therapists, support groups and helplines. It's important to reach out for help if you are feeling overwhelmed or hopeless. 

  • The stigma surrounding mental health is slowly decreasing as more people share their stories. Remember that it's okay to have bad days so don't beat yourself up for feeling down, tomorrow is a new day. 

Call to Action 

  • If you are struggling with mental health challenges, know that you are not alone and there is help available. 

  • Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, therapist, or crisis hotline. 

  • With work and time you can overcome depression and live a thriving life. 

The podcast concludes with a discussion about the importance of self-compassion and seeking help from friends, family, or professional resources. 

Overall, the episode is a powerful and inspiring conversation about overcoming depression and mental health challenges.

 

Karen and Adam share their own experiences of battling for mental health, and explore: 

  • Childhood experiences and their impacts.

  • Tools they each used to go from surviving to thriving in life. 

  • The power of speaking up; both in enabling self-healing and helping others. 

You can listen to the full podcast here.

Connect with Adam Blum on LinkedIn Now!