In Episode 70, Sunny Bahuguna sits down with Christopher LeMark from Chicago, USA. 

Christopher LeMark takes us on his journey to manhood, allowing us to feel the struggle and heartache of a little boy that simply wanted to be seen and loved. We gain a glimpse into the child welfare system that so many Black people are fearful of.  It is this very fear that has served as the catalyst for Black families informally adopting their kin. However, blood relatives may not always be in the child’s best interest. At the hands of his own family, Christopher endured physical, mental, and emotional abuse. His isolation and anger had him bound to be a statistic. Christopher’s ability to tap into his imagination, express himself through writing and music, have built a foundation of resilience. Today, he speaks bravely about how he overcame his battles with depression and multiple suicide attempts and how he’s now providing free mental health services for those in the Chicagoland area through his successful foundation, Coffee, Hip-Hop and Mental Health. 

What once defined LeMark, became the thing that awakened him to rewrite history, seek help, and change the course of his life to become the better version of himself. He moves through fear, leads with integrity, and heals alongside his peers and the community. One of his greatest joys and accomplishments? The birth of his son and the cultivation of beautiful chosen family.

Available wherever you get your podcasts. 

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There are some sensitive topics we touch on regarding mental health so if there are any triggers for you please know there is support and there will be plenty of links in access below.

LifeLine - Ph: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Banksia Project - https://thebanksiaproject.org.au/

Mr. Perfect - https://mrperfect.org.au/

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As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.

Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and that there are many support resources out there - including friends, family, school chaplains and plenty more!

If you're feeling distressed or overwhelmed, Beyond Blue has a number of trained mental health professionals available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.

For immediate support, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 and in an emergency, always dial 000.

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com