By Georgia FreeFriday 24 May 2024Finding HopePodcastsReading Time: 5 minutes
Warning: This article contains mentions of suicidal ideation and attempts. Reader discretion is advised. If you need help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au.
Growing up with ADHD, various health issues and the target of bullying, Adam Blum had the odds stacked against him.
Key points:
- In his early twenties, Adam planned to end his life, after targeted bullying at work.
- Adam called a friend, when he was on the brink of despair. It saved his life.
- He encourages people to take recovery quite literally one step at a time.
- Adam Blum’s memoir Easy Target is available now.
- Listen to Adam’s full interview in the player above.
By his early twenties, Adam was targeted so relentlessly in his construction job that he planned to end his life.
One day after work, he drove to the edge of a cliff, anticipating that it would be his last evening alive. Then, one phone call – and a message from a guardian angel – changed everything.
Driven to the brink
As Adam made the drive up the cliff, he recalled the last words that his boss had said to him – the catalyst that made him want to end his life.
“[He said] I was a liar, a bludger and a thief,” Adam told Finding Hope.
Adam’s boss had a history of targeting Adam, who worked hard in his role as a construction worker. To this day, Adam doesn’t understand why.
“Nothing was ever good enough. No matter what you did, no matter how hard you worked,” he said.
“And I thought if he thinks this, then the whole world thinks this.
“So I’m going to end my life.”
Once Adam had made his decision, his mental fog cleared. It was as if years of depression and anxiety had finally lifted.
In his early twenties, Adam planned to end his life, after targeted bullying at work.
“There was no guilt, there was no regret.,” Adam said.
“I had a calmness and peace about it.
“I walked [out to the edge], looked up at the mountains for one final time.”
But then, Adam heard a voice.
‘How are you, brother’?
Adam recognised the voice as that of his late grandmother – who he fondly calls his guardian angel.
“She said ‘Adam, stop. Step back. Make a phone call,'” Adam recalled.
“That was the moment of clarity that I needed to realise what I was about to do.
“That was the hand of God saving my life.”
Adam stepped back from the cliff and called a mate, who picked up immediately.
Adam called a friend, when he was on the brink of despair. It saved his life.
“He goes ‘Blum Dog, how are you, brother?’
“And I just said, ‘I’m not great, mate.’
“He could [sense] the seriousness in my voice.
“And then I just remember him listening.
“At the end he said, ‘do you promise me you’ll get help?’
“And I promised.”
Road to recovery
Adam was true to his word. The next day, he went to the doctor and got a mental health assessment – where he scored in the highest possible range for both depression and anxiety. He was referred to a psychologist where he began a journey of therapy. However, Adam is quick to remind people that the road to recovery is not linear – and finding the right treatments and therapists can take some time.
“Finding the right [therapist] is like speed dating,” Adam chuckled.
“And when you find the right one, it just clicks.”
Beyond that, Adam encouraged people to take recovery quite literally one step at a time.
“My safe haven was my bed,” Adam admitted.
“When I didn’t want to face the world, I just pulled the doona over my head.”
“So, one day, I got up and made a coffee.
“And the next day, I went outside and drank that coffee.
Adam encourages people to take recovery quite literally one step at a time.
“And the next day, I walked to the end of my street.
“I just started to build up a little bit of momentum, and my mindset started to shift.”
Adam also dove deeper into his faith – praying to God each day and thanking him for blessings in his life.
“I’m grateful to him every day for each blessing he gives me,” Adam said.
“My faith is huge to me.
“It got me to where I am today.”
Finding a new purpose
A few years ago, Adam left the construction industry for good to become a firefighter. Already a volunteer in the RFS, Adam knew that he wanted to live out his passion. Today, he feels more aligned with his purpose in life than he ever has.
“I’m a very purpose driven person,” Adam said.
“If I align to that purpose, I give my all to it.
“I love being a first responder.
“I love what it gives me.
“If I align to that purpose, I give my all to it,” Adam said.
“You’re out there protecting the community and helping people… it’s actually helped me heal as well.”
These days, Adam is looking to the future – not just for himself, but for others.
“I love it when a young kid looks at me and goes ‘oh look a firefighter, I want to be just like him when I’m older,'” Adam said.
“It’s great to know that you can mentor and inspire another generation to come through and maybe follow in your footsteps.”
‘Easy Target’ – writing his story
Adam had never planned on writing his story down. In fact, Adam barely passed Year 12 English, and his teachers told him he would ‘amount to nothing.’ But, after encouragement from his mentor, he knew that others may need to read it.
He wrote at least 250 words a day, for months. Sometimes, he wrote 5000, other days, a couple of hundred. But he kept showing up.
“There were days where it would flow, and other days were just a grind,” Adam said.
Adam Blum’s memoir Easy Target is available now.
“[But] I just learned that if I continually keep showing up and taking action, then I can get to where I am.”
Adam’s memoir ‘Easy Target’ was published in March 2024 – a reminder to all battling depression to keep fighting – and to speak up, even to one person.
“My greatest advice is to keep shifting forward two millimetres every day,” Adam said.
“Enjoy the ups when they’re happening but also remember that bad times are going to end.
“Speaking up takes courage.
“It’s not weak to speak.
“Speaking up saved my life.
“And if someone comes to you, listen to them without judgement.”
Listen to Adam’s full story on Finding Hope in the player above.
Adam Blum’s memoir Easy Target is available now.
If you need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au.
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Suicide Line 1300 651 251
• Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
If you are in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact emergency services on 000.
Feature image: All images supplied.