Ep. 13 - #SameHere: A Conversation & Mental Health Deep Dive with Eric Kussin

In this episode of the Unspoken Grief podcast, hosts Michael Vinton and Tina Chevalier talk with Eric Kussin, founder of Same Here Global and co-host of the podcast We’re All a Little Crazy, about mental health advocacy, grief, and the harm of simplified narratives. Eric shares his background in professional sports leadership, his debilitating mental health crisis, extensive medication trials, TMS, inpatient hospitalization, and ECT, and how integrative therapy helped him reframe his experience as accumulated chronic stress and trauma. He discusses his brother’s long medical ordeals, the “Five in Five” message that everyone has mental health, concerns about nonprofit and media messaging, and why deaths of despair should be discussed with nuance to support prevention. Eric explains the Same Here hand sign origins, previews his book Diagnosis (out around September), and describes hope through ongoing healing and somatic trauma release **988 Lifeline number**: https://988lifeline.org/  At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be complex. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.   **Didi Hirsch Mental Services:** didihirsch.org   **Crisis Text Line** Text HOME to 741741 Free, 24/7 Mental Health Support    **Eric Kussin**  **Email:**       [eric@samehereglobal.org](mailto:eric@samehereglobal.org) **Website:**   https://samehereglobal.org/ **Instagram:** @samehere\_global **Facebook:** @samehere\_global **LinkedIn:**  @samehere\_global **Podcast:**  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/were-all-a-little-crazy/id1556305271 **YouTube**: https://www.youtube.com/@samehere\_global   **Michael Vinton** Email:                [info@impactedsurvivors.com](mailto:_info@impactedsurvivors.com)  Website:    www.michaelvinton.com                   http://www.impactedsurvivors.org Podcast:    Unspoken Grief  IG:            @therealmichaelvinton FB:            Michael Vinton Linkedin:   m/ichael-vinton-6702a373 IDMB:                Michael Vinton (III) Headshot: Headshot 1                  Headshot 2   **Tina Chevalier** Email:                [Tina@impactedsurvivors.com](mailto:Tina@impactedsurvivors.com)  Website:    www.impactedsurvivors.org  Podcast:   Unspoken Grief IG:            @impactedsurvivorsofms FB:            Facebook Headshot; Headshot * * * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.