Why The Simple Emotions

My name is Camden Blum, and I am the founder of The Simple Emotions, which was created to share my story and others to raise awareness for mental health.

Unfortunately, I went through a series of medical challenges that had a major impact on both my physical and mental health. First, I developed a breathing condition that went undiagnosed for over a year and a half. Throughout that time, I saw 17 different doctors, prescribed 17 medications, and underwent 15 procedures before I was finally diagnosed with exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction at National Jewish Hospital in Denver.

One of the medications I was prescribed during that time was gabapentin. While it was meant to help, it came with serious mental health side effects, including suicidal thoughts. Already struggling tremendously, these side effects drastically deteriorated my mental health even more.

Right after the diagnosis, I separated my shoulder during a hockey game, requiring surgery and another year of recovery. Once recovered, I dislocated the same shoulder, needing a second surgery. Having to step away from the sport and community I loved was incredibly difficult, and I felt lost and experienced a major identity crisis.

Throughout, I struggled to talk about how I was feeling. Like so many others, I found it hard to open up, and that silence was one of the most challenging parts of my journey.

With all these challenges and my entrepreneurial spirit, I started a clothing brand, The Simple Emotions. It is geared towards raising awareness for mental health and allows people to express themselves in a simple way.