In this episode, Michelle Schurman interviews Six Degrees Sauce co-founder Tyler Bliss on the topics of mental health and suicide prevention. Tyler opens on his own mental health journey and gives crucial advice to anyone who may be struggling similarly. You are not alone.

Tyler’s story starts in childhood, leading up to a concussion in his late 20’s. This injury led to suicidal thoughts and a constant headache in the first 90 days of recovery, leading him to feel like this pain may be with him the rest of his life. After the first three months of recovery, he went back to normal and did not address the issues that came with the injury. That led to manifesting more suicidal thoughts, up to a major attempt at ~28 years of age. Tyler got in contact with his doctor, a psychiatrist and medication, btu did eventually attempt to hang himself. 

“The struggle was alone time, that’s when the thoughts would really hit the hardest. In hindsight, I was not in control of myself. Unless you have been in that darkness, it’s hard to describe it.”

What shaped his recovery was the people that surrounded him immediately following this event. I shined hope on his life, allowing him to be vulnerable with people that truly cared. If you are struggling - reach out to the people that you trust. Talk to them. There is no reason to be embarrassed or scared. If you are the person coming in and being brought in as the confidant, being trusted. You have already done enough by being someone that is struggling they can trust. 

“Even if you’re not struggling with mental health, talk about it. That way someone knows you’re a safe person to talk about it with. It is that trust level - not just generic trust, its mental health trust. It’s definitely different.”

HuddleUp For Suicide Prevention: website | facebook | instagram

In this episode, retired Calgary journalist Gord Gillies interviews CEO of Calgary Counseling Center Dr. Robbie Babins-Wagner on therapy in the time of the coronavirus. This pandemic has brought many of us to uncertainty. But it also shined light on how therapy can now be more accessible for all. 

How has the pandemic changed what therapy looks like? For Dr. Dr. Robbie Babins-Wagner, she has seen some positive outcomes to her field going virtual. Virtual therapy appointment brings a level of ease and convenience for patience, people really like online care. We used to see this as a necessary in-person experience, but now, research is showing that online care is benefiting most people in a positive way.

Through this pandemic, many people are depressed, losing their energy or their passion. More people with anxiety especially are coming in as well, due to the uncertainty of life during shutdowns and extended isolation. they want to know when this will be over, when they can get back to normal life. It is hard to manage if you have not learned the skills to live in these uncertain times.  

“But I actually think that if people can develop some of those skills, they’ll be better off in the long term.”

So, what are some examples of positive coping? Dr. Robbie Babins-Wagner suggests connecting with friends, going for a walk – even a short one! Spend some time outside reading a book or magazine. On the other side, what can we do if we see if we recognize someone is struggling? Take them on a small walk, pop over, bring them a flower- do the things we would normally do to cheer them up. Small things are great.

“Talk to someone. There is no wrong place to go and have this conversation, because wherever you go, someone will get you to the right place.”

HuddleUp For Suicide Prevention: website | facebook | instagram

In the second episode of Burning Question, HuddleUp Cofounder Jill Viccars interviews retired Calgary journalist Gord Gillies on his experience with grief, mental health, and loss of his son. It is time to smash the stigma surrounding these topics – let’s talk and get each other help and support.

Gord’s son, Liam, struggled for 10 years with anxiety and depression, accompanied by drinking. Last March 2020, during the same week as Canada shut down for COVID19, Liam passed away after one drink too many. His struggle was not openly shared at the time but was deeply supported by his family and close friends. Liam attended rehab twice, was making progress in his health, and was trying to get better. 

“It can’t just be about what happened, it has to be about what they brought to the world, and Liam brought a lot.”

Is it the depression and anxiety that leads to the drinking, or is it the drinking that leads to the depression and anxiety? Through the time of Liam’s struggles, Gord began to realize that many people, from doctors to teachers, deal with similar battles behind closed doors. This can impact many people – and it does. 

Smash the stigma, let’s talk about it and get each other help and support. As soon as you ask or tell someone you are struggling, they open up too.  When you talk to each other, you can support each other. The answer is not feeling the shame, but to be able to talk to others. We all want to support each other. 

“What brings me hope is knowing it will get better or hoping it will get better. And being grateful. When we get low, we get grateful.  Gratefulness leads to hope for us.”

HuddleUp For Suicide Prevention: website | facebook | instagram

In the inaugural episode of Burning Questions, Kelly Doody talks with HuddleUp Co-founder Jill  Viccars about HuddleUp’s mandate around suicide prevention and mental health, how the  Burning Questions podcast will forward that mandate, and why it is so important right now. 

Suicide and mental health are important for all of us to talk about, and in the spirit of spreading  these conversations the Burning Questions podcast will be taking a unique approach. Each  episode will feature a brand new host and guest, and the guest will be picking up the torch to  host the next episode. 

As we start out the podcast it is important to talk about how HuddleUp started. As Jill explains,  the organization was founded roughly 5 years ago in response to the loss of her brother-in-law  to suicide. This kind of loss affects loved ones in a unique way, with many feeling immense  guilt. But as Kelly and Jill discuss, it is critically important to focus on the life that was led, not  the way that life ended, and to remember that most of us don’t receive an invitation to learn  how our loved ones are struggling with mental health. 

There is no one size fits all solution for mental health, and with the COVID19 pandemic  impacting everyone’s ability to connect with each other, more people than ever are in need of a  way to manage their own mental wellness and the wellness of those they care about. While we  can’t all take the same path to mental well-being, there are two simple things we can all do to  start that journey: show up, and ask the questions. It is also incredibly important to remember  that people are their own worst critic, and you have to show yourself kindness. 

“It’s okay to feel crappy, and it’s okay to feel disappointed, and it’s really okay to talk to  someone about it” 

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HuddleUp For Suicide Prevention: website | facebook | instagram

We have a burning question for you: When have we, as individuals and a society, talked enough about mental health? Maybe you’ve talked about it a lot already. Or maybe you’ve never talked about it before. But we’re banking on the answer being, “We can always talk about it more”. 

Burning Questions is created by Six Degree Sauce Co. and Huddle Up for Suicide Prevention to expand the conversation around mental health and suicide. Follow along as brave individuals share their stories about mental health and suicide. Interviewee becomes interviewer and we keep the connection and sharing stories going.

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HuddleUp For Suicide Prevention: website | facebook | instagram