Mike Bushman

Mike Bushman is a writer, speaker and trainer focused on mental health and suicide prevention. Mike serves as a board member with the Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), a volunteer with other mental health organizations and as a Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor.

"Pain to Purpose: Teaching Teens to Lead, Foster and Engage the JKB Way" is Mike’s second book focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention. It is also his first fully non-fiction offering. His previous work in the mental health space is a unique combination of memoir and novella exploring teen depression. "Suicide Escape" intersperses Mike’s personal struggles with suicide ideation as a teen with the guidance he would offer to a fictional character representing the all-too-real struggles of many young adults.

Mike’s other books explore the future of the United States and the world if changes are not made to the nation’s political system. "Melting Point 2040" and "Secession 2041" explore conditions leading up to the next civil war, while "Doing Unto Others" tests the incorporation of Golden Rule principles as a method of restoring faith in leaders and government.

Mike created an evidence-based, vetted workplace mental health training program built on research, personal mental health experiences and years of managing individuals with various mental health challenges. He facilitated research groups on disclosure considerations for suicide attempt survivors for the National Consortium on Stigma and Empowerment. In addition to Youth Mental Health First Aid, Mike regularly conducts More Than Sad, Talk Saves Lives and other training programs on behalf of AFSP and has extensively shared his personal story of recovery and hope.

Prior to his writing and mental health work, Mike’s experience included serving as press secretary and then Washington director for former southern Illinois Congressman Terry Bruce. He worked for twenty years in corporate roles that included vice president for communications, investor relations, global brand and sustainable development at Nalco, a leading worldwide sustainability services company.

Mike earned his undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA, with honors, from the University of Chicago. He has been married for more than 30 years, has two adult children and enjoys hiking, among other outdoor activities.