When we found out our very own Efrem Brynin of Style Partitions suddenly decided to leave the movable wall business, after almost 30 years, to champion mental health and bereavement issues, it was a shock to all of us. It was then revealed the internal struggles and challenges he had been experiencing since tragically losing his son, Lance Corporal James Brynin, to the Afghanistan war.
Efrem’s quest to deal with his loss led him to a chance encounter during the making of a SAS: Who Dares Wins series. There he met Dan Cross, who lost his wife to a senseless murder. Two years later they co-founded a startup nonprofit organization, StrongMen, which aims to tackle emotional and mental health issues brought about by the suffering from bereavement.
StrongMen provides free weekend breaks to men ages 18 – 55 years old who have suffered the bereavement of a spouse, child, parent or sibling. The weekend program provides physical, outdoor activities along with counseling and support, and discussions from Experts on physical and mental well-being.
After learning of the difficulties our colleague endured, the members of IDNNA have rallied and come together to support Efrem and the StrongMen organization. To date, we are proud to have donated a total of $6,000 to this worthy cause!
To our esteemed colleague, Efrem – We respect you immensely and support your goal in bringing awareness and understanding of mental health and the bereavement process. The IDNNA Team.
“I’ve been in my industry for 29 years. In 21 weeks time that will finish and another chapter of my life will begin. What that is I do not know yet; I’m open to whatever comes my way. Sometimes a leap of faith is the only choice.”
Efrem Brynin
