In Memory of Isaiah Ziegler-Suicide Prevention

04/11/2026

There’s real science behind something I’ve lived, not just believed.

It’s called neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to change, adapt, and strengthen pathways based on what we repeatedly think, feel, and do.

Over time, the brain builds what it practices.

If we constantly focus on fear, pain, or what’s going wrong, those pathways get stronger. Not because we’re weak—but because our brains are wired to protect us.

But the opposite is also true.

When we intentionally practice things like gratitude, meaning, connection, or even just noticing one small good thing in a hard day, we begin strengthening different pathways—ones that help us cope, heal, and keep going.

I want to be clear about something…

I don’t ignore my pain.
I don’t pretend my losses didn’t happen.
I don’t “just think positive.”

I have lived through more than I ever should have had to.

But I made a decision somewhere along the way:
I refuse to let my pain be the only thing that shapes me.

That doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect me—it means it doesn’t get the final say.

Every time I choose to show up, to help someone else, to find purpose, to keep going… I am reinforcing a different path.

Not an easier one—but a stronger one.

Your brain is always adapting.

The question isn’t whether it’s changing… it’s how.

And sometimes the bravest thing you can do is gently train your mind to notice that even in the middle of pain—there is still something worth holding onto.

That’s not denial.

That’s resilience.

04/08/2026

Some stories are complicated… and some people are too.

Years ago, I shared that Isaiah’s father was living under a bridge. What I didn’t share then is the depth of his struggle.

His pain didn’t start in adulthood. It started as a child.

He has shared that as young as four years old, before he even understood what death meant, he remembers feeling like he didn’t want to be here… like he just wanted to disappear.

Those feelings didn’t go away. They followed him into his teen years, where drugs and alcohol became a way to cope… or maybe just a way to quiet what he couldn’t explain.

Since Isaiah was just six months old, his father’s life had been marked by cycles of addiction and incarceration. And today, he is back in prison.

And as hard as this is to say out loud… there is a part of me that feels relief. Because I know he is alive. I know he is not alone on the streets. I know where he is.

Mental illness and substance use don’t define a person—but they can take hold of a life in ways that are hard to break without the right support, early enough.

What people don’t see is this:
Isaiah’s father is one of the most giving people I’ve ever known. The kind of person who, if he only had $5 to his name, would hand it to someone else without hesitation.

Because sometimes…
the people who have nothing
are the ones who will give you everything.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
We have to start talking about mental health earlier.
We have to listen more closely.
We have to see people beyond their circumstances.

Because behind every struggle is a human being who once was a child… trying to make sense of feelings they didn’t have words for.

And sometimes, they’re still that child.

***dePrevention

03/29/2026

I agree with Winnie the Pooh….”There is nothing more painful than outliving someone you love.”

Please reach out. HELP is free.

03/26/2026

Attend a complimentary seminar with Jim Sporleader, a local authority known for his transformative work at Lincoln High School, featured in the documentary Paper Tigers.

This seminar offers valuable insights for parents and anyone working with children.

Join us at the Trauma-Free Childhood Summit April 13th.

03/13/2026

We often underestimate the power of sleep on our mental health.

As healthcare professionals, we’re trained to assess vitals, pain levels, and symptoms—but how often do we truly ask about sleep quality before someone reaches complete exhaustion?

Sleep isn’t just rest. It’s when our brain resets, processes emotions, and restores balance. When sleep suffers, our ability to regulate emotions, cope with stress, and think clearly suffers too.

If you’ve been feeling “off,” overwhelmed, more reactive, or emotionally drained, pause and ask yourself a simple question: How have I been sleeping?

Talking about sleep should be just as normal as talking about nutrition or exercise. Sometimes improving sleep habits—or simply acknowledging poor sleep—is the first step toward feeling better.

And for my fellow healthcare professionals:
Let’s start asking the question earlier.

Your mental health matters. Your rest matters. 💙

American Foundation for Su***de Prevention- Indiana Chapter

***dePrevention

03/01/2026

I challenge each of you to brighten someone’s life today in honor of World Compliment Day. A single kind word can shift someone’s entire day and sometimes even their direction!

I also want to thank every one of you for walking alongside me, supporting my journey, and helping amplify the message that mental health support should be accessible, responsive, and compassionate for everyone. Because of you, more people are learning that we can show up differently.

Remember, HELP isn’t just for crisis moments — it’s for everyday life:

H – Hold me or just be there
E – Explain why you’re concerned
L – Listen (let them talk)
P – Plan for safety

Connection saves lives. Kindness matters. And sometimes, a compliment is the first step toward someone feeling seen.

02/25/2026

Loneliness doesn’t always look like being alone.

It can sit quietly at the dinner table.
It can show up in a full house.
It can hide behind “I’m fine.”

Feeling disconnected doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful. It means you’re human.

If you’re feeling lonely, try one small step toward connection — a text, a support group, a walk into your local library, a conversation with someone who feels safe. You don’t have to fix everything. Just reach.

And if someone around you seems “off,” lean in:
Hold them or just be there.
Explain why you’re concerned.
Listen without trying to solve.
Plan for safety if needed.

Connection saves lives. 💙

If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. You are not a burden. You matter. #

02/21/2026

We will never know what Isaiah would look like at 30.
I imagine wider shoulders, a clean goatee, and that same soft smile that melted my heart from day one.

Today, on his birthday, I sit with the ache of the years we didn’t get — and I share this for anyone who may be struggling.

Before a crisis comes, we can practice HELP:

H — Hold me or just be there.
Your presence matters more than perfect words.

E — Explain why you are concerned.
Say it gently. Say it clearly. Let them know they matter.

L — Listen.
Let them talk. Resist the urge to fix. Simply hear them.

P — Plan for safety.
Remove the means. Stay with them. Call or text 988 if needed.

Isaiah’s life was short, but his impact continues.
If you are hurting today, please reach for help. Your story is not finished. You are deeply loved, even in the dark.

02/20/2026

Tomorrow Isaiah would be turning 30.
Today, I am remembering him as a whole person.
The climber.
The artist.
The quiet brother.
The boy with olive skin and a melting smile.
The young man walking Aspen under the sky.

He is not just “forever 17.”
He is 30 in my heart.
He is the man he might have become.
And imagining that man is not denial.
It is love stretching across time.
I carried him for nine months.
I have carried him in my heart for every day since.

That love did not end in 2013.
It simply changed form.
Happy 30th birthday, Isaiah.
You are remembered. You are loved.
You are still in the stories we tell and the lives we touch in your name.
❤️ Mom

01/25/2026

I didn’t become strong in spite of what I’ve been through.

I became strong because I refused to let suffering be the end of my story.

01/22/2026

💙 To my fellow healthcare professionals — please read this. 💙

We are caring for everyone else while quietly running on empty ourselves. Studies show that over 50% of healthcare workers report symptoms of burnout, and many are struggling in silence.

When a colleague (or patient) seems off, remember HELP:
H — Hold space. Be present.
E — Express concern. “I’ve noticed changes and I’m worried about you.”
L — Listen. Really listen, without fixing or interrupting.
P — Plan for safety. Involve supports or call/text 988 if needed.

Sometimes one caring conversation can be the turning point.

👉 Please save my HELP tips as your phone screensaver or share it with your team.
You never know when you’ll need it — or when someone will need you.

We can’t fix broken systems alone, but we can show up for each other. 💙

01/19/2026

I am sure by now you have heard of Adverse Childhood Experiences and how they affect a child's health and social outcomes. Have you ever assessed your own ACE's?

ACE Score Ranges

0 → Low risk

1–3 → Moderate risk

4 or more → Higher risk for long-term health and social impacts

Research consistently shows that ACE ≥4 is associated with increased risk for:

Chronic disease (heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune conditions)

Depression, anxiety, substance use

Su***de risk

Poor stress regulation

Shorter life expectancy on a population level

But—and this matters deeply—

What ACE Scores Do NOT Mean

ACE scores do NOT:

Predict individual outcomes

Define resilience

Measure strength, recovery, or healing

Mean someone is “damaged”

Two people can have the same ACE score and wildly different lives, depending on:

Protective factors (safe adults, education, therapy, meaning-making)

Timing of trauma

Ongoing vs resolved adversity

Social support and opportunity