Betsy Stephenson shares her son Charlie’s story, hidden signs of depression in young men, and the grief, stigma, and hope after suicide loss.

Depression, suicide loss, and parental grief are at the heart of this powerful continuation of our conversation with Betsy Stephenson, author of Blackbird: A Mother’s Reflections on Grief, Loss, and Life After Suicide. In Part 2 of this 7 On Sundays™ series, hosts Dr. Chez Leeby and Stephanie Boye dive deeper into the misunderstood signs of depression — particularly in young men — through the story of Betsy’s late son, Charlie.

This episode explores:

• The hidden signs of depression in young men (irritability, withdrawal, loss of appetite, sleep changes)

• Why depression itself is “enough” and requires no other justification for concern

• Parenting, grief, and writing through active loss

• The role of community, conversations, and early intervention in mental health

• Breaking stigma around suicide, depression, and the right to feel pain

• The urgent need for mental health support in schools, fraternities, and colleges

Betsy’s reflections, paired with Dr. Chez’s insights, offer a compassionate, raw, and necessary discussion on how we can better support young people, parents, and communities impacted by depression and suicide loss.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Trigger Warning

00:19 Interview with Betsy Stephenson Begins

00:54 Understanding Depression in Males

02:57 Personal Experiences with Depression

07:17 Coping Mechanisms and Therapy

08:42 The Importance of Open Conversations

13:22 Early Signs and Seeking Help

23:08 The Impact of Transitions and Modern Pressures

27:05 The Danger of Comparison and Grief

28:12 The Importance of Validating All Feelings

28:42 The Pressure of Perfection

30:55 Betsy's Unique Approach to Writing About Grief

37:38 The Power of Checking on Friends

44:55 Addressing Depression and Mental Health in Fraternities

49:35 Recognizing the Signs of Depression

52:32 Final Thoughts and Resources

 

Resources Mentioned:

- *Blackbird* by Betsey Stevenson — [Buy the book](https://www.betseystevenson.com) 

  A memoir about grief and healing written in real-time by a mother who lost her son to suicide.

- National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — [Call or text 988](https://988lifeline.org) 

  Free, confidential support available 24/7.

 

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe and leave a review to help more listeners find these crucial conversations. And most importantly: check on your friends—it matters more than you know.