Leslie Weirich

People don’t fake depression.

They fake being okay.

So, check on the lightbulbs.

You know who they are!

Give them a call today.

Because just because someone is smiling.

Doesn’t mean a thing.

#DepressionIsALiar #MensMentalHealthMonth
#CheckOnEachOther

My son FaceTimed me for 45 minutes at 1:30 in the afternoon on September 9th, 2016.

He lifted weights and worked out at 4:30 that afternoon.

He called his dad at 6:00 that evening to talk about the Notre Dame football game he was going to watch the next day.

He went out for burgers with his roommates and friends at 7:30 that night.

He lost hope shortly after midnight and died on Saturday September 10th, 2016.

Which coincidentally, happens to be World Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day.

You don’t think we’ve replayed that day and asked ourselves what did we miss?

At least a hundred times…

Who is walking by you today that’s hurting?

You can’t notice their pain….

If your head is down in your device.

Look up and notice.

Ask them how they are doing.

Then ask them again.

“How are you really doing?”

It might be the most life saving conversation you will have today.

Then maybe they will be here tomorrow.

And you can meet them out for burgers next week…

#StopYouthSuicideNow #DitchTheDevice #ActiveListening #AustinsStory #LesliesHope #BeHereTomorrow

I've been asked so many times....

What would I do differently if I could go back and prevent my son from taking his life....

Here's one mistake I made as a parent.

Giving him a cell phone way too early.

The data is in and there's no doubt about it.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina have studied this and we now know what I wish I would have known when Austin was growing up...

This study tracked 169 students from public middle schools over a three year period.

And what they found should concern all of us.

The studies suggest that checking social media repeatedly among young teens ages 12-13 year olds may be associated with how their brains develop over a three year period.

Now stick with me here on this brain science....

Because most adolescents begin using social media at the most important part of brain development in our lifetime...

Let me repeat that....the most important part of brain development in your child's lifetime....

Is when you hand them an electronic device that has always been designed for the adult brain.

And expect them to know how to handle it responsibly....

Really???
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The research also tells us that “checking behaviors“ on social media could have long standing consequences for adolescents neural development.

You know that means how many times a day (or an hour) they check their social media and their likes could have a long term impact on their brain.

So when I'm asked if I would change anything if I could go back and raise our son all over again...

My answer would be that I would not have given him a cell phone so early in life.

To try and protect his growing brain.

That is one of my greatest regrets and I pray if you're a parent reading this that it won't become one of your's.
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I realize this post might not sit well with some parents who have already given their child a cell phone....

But I'll take the risk of offending you if it saves even one young life.

So I might as well keep on going with the questions.....

Do you know the password on your kid's phone and when's the last time you checked it?

If you don't know their password and they refuse to give it to you.

Then there's your answer.

I've probably lost several hundred parents who follow me on LinkedIn.

But I make no apologies for sharing research and information that could save even one young life.

Because I'm not here for the likes.

I'm here for the lives.

So if you're thinking of buying a device for your kid, then please check out www.gabb.com. Their back to school special on safe phones and watches is going on for the next two days.. For the next two days you can get a free phone for your kids.

#SafeTechSavesLives #SocialMediaHurtsTheGrowingBrain #LesliesHope #GABB #StopYouthSuicideNow #BeHereTomorrow #ShowingUpForOurKids

I've been waiting on the appliance repairman to come this afternoon.

To repair my ice maker.

You know how they give you a window of time they will arrive.

Mine was 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

No problem. I have plenty of work to keep me busy while I wait.

Well, he arrived about noon which was a pleasant surprise.

A very tall man. Told me his name was Rod.

I stood in the kitchen and we talked about appliances for awhile.

Then that question came up....

You know the one. “What do you do for a living?“

So I answered him by saying, “I'm a public speaker.“

To which he replied, “Oh yea, what do you speak about?“

I said, “Preventing suicide especially in younger people.“

He didn't bat an eye and kept on working. We continued the previous conversation about applicances and who makes the best ones. How long an ice maker will last before it breaks down again....

Things like that......

Then he handed me the bill and I gave him my credit card. He went on to tell me about the warranty on parts and labor.

And as he walked toward the door, he turned around and said.....

“Keep doing what you're doing. I lost my 27 year-old son two years ago. He took his life over a girl and I never want anyone to go through this.“

I asked this big burly man standing in my doorway if I could give him a hug?

I could see a tear welling up in his eye and I told him that he wasn't alone. I also lost my 20-year old son six years ago and I never want anyone to go through this either.

He stayed for another ten minutes or so and we talked. I gave him my card and some resources of hope and told him that his son's death was not his fault.

I told him this is probably not something he's ever going to get over but he can get through it with the help of other people.

He just kept thanking me for listening and I looked at him and said....

“I'm pretty sure my ice maker was meant to break down so we could meet each other and have this conversation today.“

He said, “I think it was too.“

#WorldSuicidePreventionAndAwarenessMonth #ConversationsThatChangeLives #LesliesHope #ShowingUp #BeHereTomorrow

My son did not rob a bank.

And he didn’t set a building on fire.

He simply died by suicide.

Can we please work at using the correct language?

It matters.

Especially to the families.

#StopYouthSuicide #NoMoreMilitarySuicide
#MensMentalHealthMatters #AustinsStory