How are you Feeling

10/10/2024

I Still Have Dark Days, But Now They Empower Me

Today is World Mental Health Day, and it’s hard to believe it’s been 12 years since I first publicly shared my battle with depression. I published an article called "How Can It Be So Dark Even on the Sunniest Days?" on Facebook.

Back then, talking about mental health wasn’t something you heard from men very often. I was nervous to hit "share," but the response shocked me. Messages flooded my inbox, thanking me for opening up. I was surprised and slightly embarrassed, but I felt relieved that I put it out there.

And I haven't stopped since that day.

We've come so far since then, but there’s still much further to go.

Over 50% of Canadians reported mental health as being their most significant concern. Yet, we still don’t talk about it enough.

I want to continue sharing my story to encourage others to do the same. It’s time to stop whispering about su***de and start having real conversations about mental health—because it’s not going away.

Share your story; it takes courage, but doing so makes it easier for the next person to tell their story. This is where the real healing begins.

Twelve years ago, I shared my mental health journey for the first time, and I was overwhelmed by the support that followed. What started as a nervous step into the unknown became a mission to keep speaking up, even as life tested me in ways I never could have imagined. Some may tire of the topic, bu

10/02/2024

For those who have read my book already, thank you for supporting it. Those interested in reading the first chapter should follow the link below.

This opening chapter was the hardest thing I've ever written.

I needed my boys to read it and ensure they were okay with it.

They told me it was painful to read, but too important not to publish.

The book chronicles our experiences with Maddie but is mostly intended as a coaching book for parents of struggling teens and young adults.

Thanks for reading.

https://chriscoulter-66476.medium.com/the-worst-day-becomes-a-chapter-not-the-entire-story-192e2f5a38be

09/29/2024

I'm honoured and humbled to be invited to speak at the World Mental Health Forum, joining esteemed mental health experts from around the world. This event is a testament to the importance of collaboration and open conversation when it comes to mental health.

The World Mental Health Forum will be held virtually from October 3-10, 2024, with a week full of inspiring talks, workshops, and discussions aimed at promoting mental well-being globally. I'll be sharing my experiences, alongside 30+ incredible speakers who bring both academic and lived insights into mental health challenges.

If you're passionate about mental health or know someone who could benefit from this week-long event, I'd encourage you to attend. The forum will cover a wide range of topics, including teen stress, grief, caring for others, transforming pain into purpose, and much more.

Tickets are available here:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/eventbrite-world-mental-health-forum-october-3-10-2024-azmann-uy6qf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&utm_campaign=share_via

Join us in building a global conversation for mental health and well-being. Together, we can make a difference.

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

09/20/2024

You won’t find this book on your therapist’s bookshelf, but you should.

I listen to audiobooks during my 40-minute walk to and from work, and over the last four years, I’ve listened to around 300. But 'The Gap and the Gain' by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Ben Hardy is simply put, life-changing.

I often have parents reach out to me for advice, especially when they’re worried about their kids’ mental health. Recently, my friend “Sue” reached out about her young adult son, who struggles with depression at certain times of the year. He’d been to therapists but didn’t think much of them. He had a bad experience with antidepressants. I had just finished 'The Gap and the Gain' for the second time, shared some insights and gave a new perspective.

Sue and I talked about everything her son had accomplished over the last five years. Later that day, something changed when she brought up these accomplishments with him. He lit up with pride. He was inspired, realizing how much he’d achieved—but had never allowed himself to celebrate. He even asked, "Who is this therapist? I want to meet him!"

We get so focused on what’s next that we forget to acknowledge the incredible things we’ve already done. We live in “The Gap” instead of celebrating “The Gain.” This book shows you how to flip that mindset, and I’m excited to be this young man’s accountability coach as he continues his journey of self-discovery.

Remember to Always Measure Backwards!

Thank you, Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy, PhD. You may have intended 'The Gap and the Gain' to be a great business book, but it’s also a powerful tool for your mental health.

If you've got a troubled teen, you may want to leave this book outside his bedroom door (and you may benefit from it yourself).

https://www.thefinishlinegroup.com/emotional-wellness-blog/best-therapist-book

Have you ever felt like your goals are always just out of reach, leaving you frustrated and discouraged? 'The Gap and the Gain' by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Ben Hardy completely changed my perspective on progress. Instead of chasing an elusive ideal, I've learned to appreciate how far I've come. This sim

08/29/2024

A Moment of Vulnerability: My Journey with Depression

This morning, I woke up to a message in my Facebook inbox asking about situational depression. It's not uncommon - when you open up about your struggles, people often reach out. And you know what, I'm genuinely glad they do.

I'm not a therapist (though I sometimes joke that I play one on TV 😅), but I can share my experiences. Maybe they'll resonate with someone out there.

I don’t share for pity, nor am I struggling now. I do it because I believe I was given a gift to help others. It also helps me on my neverending journey to heal, even though I know it will be a lifelong pursuit.

So many suffer in silence, carrying around shame about how they feel. I get it, because I was someone who often deflected how I truly was dealing with life. It was an inner struggle that was unpredictable at best. The less I dealt with it, the worse it became.

READ MORE

A personal account of managing depression, highlighting 10 key triggers including lack of exercise, isolation, poor sleep, and financial stress. The author shares insights from their 15-year journey, emphasizing the importance of human connection, routine, and proper medication management. The post

08/23/2024

The Path of Grief: A Journey No Parent Should Walk Alone

Today, I find myself reflecting on a topic that's both deeply personal and universally heart-wrenching - the loss of a child. It's been nearly 9.5 years since we said goodbye to our beloved Maddie, and the weight of that loss still catches me off guard some days.

Recently, I've crossed paths with other parents who've experienced this unimaginable pain. Whether it's through depression, illness, accident, or any other cruel twist of fate, losing a child shakes the very foundation of our world. The devastation knows no bounds.

One thing I've learned on this journey is the critical importance of creating safe spaces to talk about our grief. It's not easy—for those grieving or for those trying to offer comfort—but it's necessary. We must ensure families have access to proper support—grief counselling, therapy, and, most importantly, love from their community.

Many don't realize that in those first days and weeks, when support pours in, the grieving family often finds themselves emotionally propping up others. It's a strange paradox of loss.

But the real challenge comes later. When the visits taper off, the meals stop arriving, and the phone falls silent more often, the true depth of sadness can take hold. In many ways, the months that follow a loss are the hardest to bear.

So, if you know someone who's lost a child - or any loved one - please remember this: Your support is needed most when the world has moved on, but their world is still standing still. Keep checking in. Keep showing up. Even small gestures can mean the world.

To those walking this difficult path: You're not alone. Your grief is valid, and your child's memory is precious. Be gentle with yourselves.

And to everyone else: Let's create a world where grief is met with ongoing compassion, understanding, and support. Because no parent should have to walk this road alone.

06/05/2024

Thank you to Healthing.ca for publishing an excerpt from my book, "Wake Up, You Could Lose Your Teen to Su***de. Some of the statistics, courtesy of IMI International, are shocking.

https://www.healthing.ca/wellness/mental-health/coulter-the-loneliness-epidemic-and-teen-mental-health

In my book, Wake Up, You Could Lose Your Teen to Su***de: A Father’s Guide to Dealing with Teenage Depression & Anxiety, I share the deeply personal journey that began after losing my daughter, Maddie, to su***de in 2015.

In the excerpt "The Loneliness Epidemic: The Silent Struggle Within Teenage Lives," I delve into the critical mental health issues teens face today, highlighting the impact of cyberbullying, social media, and pervasive loneliness.

After Maddie’s death, I turned to writing about our family's tragedy. I barely had the motivation or energy to get out of bed.

Eventually, I decided to pull myself up and start doing something impactful. Working with the non-profit How Are You Feeling, we focused on helping kids understand and manage their emotions.

My story is a call to action for parents, educators, and society to recognize and address the silent battles our youth are fighting every day.

https://www.healthing.ca/wellness/mental-health/coulter-the-loneliness-epidemic-and-teen-mental-health

Join me in shedding light on these vital issues. Read more about my journey and insights in my book, available on Amazon.

For those in Southern Ontario looking for mental health resources, I encourage you to download your FREE Wake Up Mental Health Resource Guide.

https://www.thefinishlinegroup.com/wake-up-resource-guide

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