In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, hosts Deborah Charman and Brian Wardale share their experiences with suicide attempts and their mission to help others through early prevention programs. Deb discusses her autobiography and the importance of teaching young people to manage sad feelings before they escalate. At the same time, Brian shares his struggles and the support he received that saved his life. Together, they emphasize the need for preventive Education and intervention to make suicide a less likely outcome. The conversation includes insights on intellectual development stages, the power of EMDR Therapy, and their initiative to educate and support at-risk youth through their program, available at survivorsofhopelessness.com.
00:00 Welcome to EZ Conversations Podcast
00:56 Deborah’s Story: Overcoming Suicide
03:02 Brian’s Story: A Journey of Survival
06:44 The Shift in Awareness Over the Years
09:06 The Power of EMDR Therapy
15:48 Deborah and Brian’s Partnership
24:41 Understanding Intervention vs. Prevention
30:06 The Five Stages of Intellectual Development
34:42 Brian’s Advice to Those Feeling Hopeless
38:43 How to Support and Get Involved
43:32 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
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Or find Furkhan’s Book, Pursuit of Self Love: 30 Uplifting Messages and Reflections. The Kindle version is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Pursuit-Self-Love-Uplifting-Messages-Reflections-ebook/dp/B0C4D1XYL1
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I am a men's coach, therapist, group facilitator, podcaster and author. My journey began five years ago when I was going through a separation. I found myself alone and in a shame spiral that our culture and society covertly exert on people due to the perceived "failure" of a marriage. Unfortunately, I personalized that message which led me to fall deeper into a hole, causing me to surround myself with people that did not serve me and engage in substance abuse. While seeking therapy, I was not making the wholesale changes I needed.
As part of my experience with therapy, I realized that I am not alone in the challenges men my age experience (I separated at the age of 34/35). I realized I could be a voice for men like myself and offer support in this space. In the middle of the pandemic, I applied for a Master's degree in Psychology to become a therapist. This change was a significant shift for me as I worked in the corporate world as an engineer. Once I leaned into the space of supporting other men, I also started a podcast to normalize these difficult conversations and started a men's group a year later with the support of a friend.
I thought I was giving something back when I started the men's group. However, I quickly realized I was getting substantially more from the connections I built than I initially anticipated. It was also something I needed because I was going through another breakup.
At that point, I also realized that I had not taken the time to heal, and I was outsourcing my healing through romantic relationships, substances, material acquisitions and superficial relationships. I decided to step away from the outgoing lifestyle and started to focus on my healing which was another phase of evolution for me on my journey. Over the last year and a half, I have become mindful of the people I spend my time with. I have cleaned my lifestyle of substances, toxic environments and behaviours. I have focused on my sleep, my health and my knowledge. I have improved my spiritual relationship with myself, which was lacking the most over the past five years. This is the best I have felt.
As part of my solitude journey and to find myself again, I also released a book encapsulating my journey, which I hope to share with others. My book is titled: The Pursuit of Self-Love.
