Austin Weirich was a 20-year-old junior at Wabash College, a prestigious liberal arts college for men in Indiana. He was a talented student, an aspiring lawyer, a former football player, and a beloved son, brother, and friend. He had a bright future ahead of him, but on September 10, 2016, he took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death shocked and saddened everyone who knew him, and raised questions about the causes and prevention of suicide among young men.
Contents
The Hidden Struggle of Austin Weirich
According to his mother, Leslie Weirich, Austin was a perfectionist who masked his depression in excellence. He excelled in everything he did, from academics to sports to leadership. He graduated from high school with a GPA higher than 4.0, won every scholarship he was eligible for, and was class president for four years. He was also a star athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball. He continued his success at Wabash College, where he majored in economics, minored in business, and played football for two seasons as a defensive end.
However, behind his achievements and smile, Austin was struggling with mental health issues that he never shared with anyone. He suffered from anxiety, insomnia, and mood swings. He also had a history of concussions from playing football, which may have contributed to his depression and suicidal thoughts. Following his death, his family discovered he had a CTE diagnosis from repeated blows to the brain. CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a degenerative brain disease that can cause cognitive impairment, emotional instability, and suicidal behavior.
Austin did not seek help for his problems, nor did he show any signs of distress to his family or friends. He seemed happy and optimistic, even on the day he died. He had a normal evening out with his college buddies, and then returned to his townhouse and killed himself. His death was a shock to everyone who knew him, and left them wondering what they could have done to prevent it.
The Coincidence of World Suicide Prevention Day
In a tragic irony, Austin Weirich died on September 10, which is World Suicide Prevention Day. This is a day dedicated to raising awareness and action to prevent suicide, which is a global public health problem that claims more than 800,000 lives every year. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death in the United States for people ages 10 to 24, and the tenth-leading cause of death overall.
Austin was not the first Wabash College student to die by suicide on World Suicide Prevention Day. Exactly two years before his death, another Wabash student, Evan Hansen, also took his own life. Evan was a 21-year-old senior and a captain of the football team. He was a gentle and friendly person, who also excelled in academics and sports. He had plans to attend law school after graduation, and was looking forward to playing in the Monon Bell Classic, the historic and anticipated game against rival DePauw University. He showed no signs of depression or suicidal ideation, and his death was also a shock to his family and friends.
The deaths of Austin and Evan on the same day, two years apart, are believed to be a coincidence, but they also highlight the need for more awareness and prevention of suicide among young men, especially those who are involved in contact sports. Both Austin and Evan had suffered from concussions, which may have affected their mental health and increased their risk of suicide. Both Austin and Evan also hid their pain and did not seek help, which is a common pattern among men who are taught to be strong and stoic.
The Legacy of Austin Weirich
Austin Weirich left behind a grieving family, who have been trying to cope with his loss and honor his memory. His parents, Chuck and Leslie Weirich, have been speaking out about his story and raising awareness about suicide prevention. They have also established a scholarship fund in his name at his high school in Goshen, Indiana, to help other students pursue their dreams. His sister, Lauren Weirich, has been writing poems and songs about him, and sharing them on social media. His friends and classmates have also paid tribute to him, and remembered him as a kind, smart, and fun-loving person.
Austin Weirich’s death was a tragic loss of a bright young man, who had so much to offer to the world. His story is a reminder that suicide can affect anyone, regardless of their achievements, personality, or appearance. It is also a call for action to prevent more suicides, by raising awareness, reducing stigma, providing support, and seeking help. Suicide is not a crime, nor a choice, but a result of a mental health crisis that can be prevented and treated. As his mother said, “We need to talk about it. We need to end the silence.”
