Eric Kussin, the founder of the organization and global mental health movement #SameHere, joins us today for part one of an extraordinary two-part episode. This interview will conclude with a bonus episode so tune in to episode 69!
With suicides at a 30-year high and drug abuse out of control, Eric recognized the need for change in messaging. As a marketing, psychology, and sports fan, Eric combined all three to reach out to people to discuss how they could tackle the mental health epidemic in a way that no one had ever thought of.
**A gentle warning, this episode discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you are feeling vulnerable in this area, please consult with a doctor or mental health professional in your area. Or call one of the Suicide Prevention numbers listed in the resources**
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
- Listen to Eric’s story of how he went from not knowing about mental health to founding a global mental health movement.
- Hear Eric’s thoughts on normalizing the day-to-day struggles connecting you to people.
- This is a build-up to more of Eric’s interview, and in our bonus episode, Eric said something that blew my mind.
Episode Highlights
Who is Eric Kussin?
- Eric attended Cornell University and was part of the basketball team.
- He got a job at the NBA League office in 2001 and worked for Mark Tatum, now the NBA’s deputy commissioner.
- Eric worked in team marketing and business operations in a department called the “Business of Basketball.”
Moving for work
- Eric was a part of the founding of the Chicago Sky, a WNBA team that was the first to be owned independently of the NBA.
- Eric rolled up his sleeves, learned from experience, and successfully created relationships.
- Despite having no formal sales expertise, Eric went on to work as a Director of Sales and Service for the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Vice President of Sales and Service for the New Jersey Devils.
Changing jobs
- Eric accepted a position as Chief Revenue Officer with the Florida Panthers.
- This position was a stepping stone to his ultimate goal of becoming team president and running the team’s business operations.
A shift in his mental health
- Eric was enjoying his new position until his brain and body hit a brick wall.
- He had no idea what was going on with him; all he knew was that something wasn’t right, so he went to the team’s supportive new owner.
- Eric had no idea about his mental health-related problem, and there weren’t many people talking about mental health in 2015, especially in the workplace.
Seeking help in New York
- Not fully understanding mental health, Eric decided to return to seek top doctors to get him out of this.
- He wanted to get back to work and life and was willing to take whatever pill he needed, no matter how difficult the transition period was.
- Unfortunately, Eric spent the next two and a half years lying in bed, staring at the ceiling.
- The doctors prescribed 52 different psychotropic drug combinations over two and a half years.
TMS Therapy
- Eric was then prescribed TMS therapy and advised to do it every day.
- TMS was not covered by insurance and cost $350 per session.
- Eric recalls sitting on the edge of his bed on the morning of the 24th session when the thought of “swallow his whole pill bottle” entered his mind.
- He’d never had such a thought before in his life.
Asking for help
- Eric was admitted to a psych ward at one of New York’s top treatment facilities.
- The doctor advised him to have Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) as a last resort.
- He left the hospital after five weeks and twelve sessions feeling no better than he did two and a half years before, thinking my life is over because this woman told me that was my last resort.
An unexpected turn for the better
- Eric’s parents attended a continuing education course called integrative breathing practices and insisted he sees a psychologist.
- His session was unlike any other treatment he had received previously.
- This is where he first learned about how stress and trauma build up and affect our nervous system over time.
What he learned
- Eric discovered that when we don’t like how we feel or experience things, we distract ourselves with something else, and eventually, that stress and trauma build up.
- He learned about proper breathing techniques and how the vagus nerve connects the brain to the rest of the body.
What happened next
- After 30 days of deep breathing, Eric realized that he was starting to feel better and that medications and talk therapy alone were not working for him.
- Something as simple as learning to heal his central nervous system and overall brain-body connection was what got him to a better place.
Discovering the common thread
- Eric shared his story on LinkedIn in 2017, and it was read over 150,000 times in three days.
- He received over 400 calls from as far away as China, and no one shared a “disorder label.”
- Eric learned that we all go through difficult life events and are all affected, which is the common thread.
Diving into researching mental health
- Eric investigated whether large non-profits were approaching mental health in this manner.
- He made a startling discovery when he learned that most platforms shared three shocking characteristics.
- This served as a launching pad for Eric.
Powerful Quotes from this Episode
25:11 – “I left the hospital after the five weeks and 12 sessions, feeling no better than I had the two and a half years prior, essentially thinking, my life is over because this woman told me that was my last resort.”
46:21 – “I think one of the things that’s keeping me healthy and energetic and able to do my work is that I’m open about it –– is that coming on a podcast like this, I have zero shame in talking about it.
Connect with Eric Kussin:
Resources:
Are you enjoying the Hard Beautiful Journey podcast?
Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts. While there, please leave a 5-star rating and review; it would mean so much to me! Also, if you haven’t done so already, join the Facebook Community to connect with other like-minded people.
I would love to connect with you on social, so please give me a follow on:
Thanks for listening,
Tiff
add a comment
+ show comments