Leslie Weirich is a Suicide Prevention Specialist for the Oaklawn Community Mental Health Center and a keynote speaker who speaks about hope and resiliency wrapped around suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Leslie’s son, Austin, unfortunately died by suicide on September 10, 2016 during his junior year at Wabash College.
She realizes that suicide is stigmatized and her hope is that by sharing Austin's story she will get people talking and working towards a common goal of ending young adult suicide.
In this interview, we talk about:
-- Austin's life and mental health journey
- Topics related to suicide - the toxicitiy of perfection culture, people having trouble asking for help, unhealthy/toxic relationships and what Leslie's advice is on these topics in looking back at Austin's journey
- Advice to a parent finding out their child died by suicide today
- Advice to a parent in year 1 or 2 of grieving their child's suicide
Leslie's Socials:
Leslie's Website: https://leslieshope.org/
Leslie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/?trk=seo-authwall-base_signin-form_submit
Leslie's Email: leslie@leslieshope.org
Grateful Living Info:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Bo0LHtRJJNJBUYIceg27w
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hn4ttttmbWfVqAhWh4Jhi
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1503185956
My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroy81547/?hl=en
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gratefulliving4
Medium: https://gratefulliving4.medium.com/
Approximate Time Stamps:
0:00 Intro
1:23 Background on her son Austin Weirich
7:16 Leslie leaving her job to become a suicide prevention specialist
10:03 Sources of Strength Program
12:18 Importance of mentor
15:00 Can you speak about Austin’s mental health journey?
23:46 Did Austin have trouble asking for help?
31:32 What would your recommendation be for people in unhealthy relationships?
36:30 Did Austin verbally talk about suicide prior to his death?
43:03 Any advice you would give to the parent finding out their child died by suicide today?
56:08 Advice for parent in year 0,1 or 2 or grief?
1:08:41 How have you handled your daughter’s grief process?
1:13:10 sources of strengths
1:23:23 Austin positive memory
