Episode 26- Life Support: Autism, Mental Health & Finding Hope | A Mother & Daughter Conversation

Content note: This episode contains discussions of suicidal thoughts and self-harm. If these topics are difficult for you, please listen with care.

In this deeply personal episode of Call the Nurse, I sit down with my daughter, Haylie, as she shares her journey through autism, mental health struggles, and one of the darkest chapters of her life. As a nurse, I could save my patients but not my own daughter.

Together, we revisit the difficult decisions our family faced—including sending her to a therapeutic boarding school in Utah—and hear, for the first time, Haylie's perspective on how those choices ultimately helped save her life.

We also talk about:

• What it's really like living with autism
• Common misconceptions about the autism spectrum
• Depression, hopelessness, and finding the will to live again
• The therapist who made a lasting impact
• The parent-child relationship during crisis

• Finding hope after your darkest moments

This episode wasn't easy to record, and it wasn't easy to decide to share. But if our family's story helps one person feel less alone—or gives one parent hope to keep fighting for their child—then every vulnerable moment is worth it.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, healthcare professional, someone navigating autism, or anyone struggling with mental health, we hope this conversation reminds you that healing is possible, hope can return, and no one should have to walk these journeys alone.

Thank you for being here, for listening with an open heart, and for helping us continue to break the stigma surrounding autism and mental health.

Because sometimes the conversations that are hardest to have are the ones that save lives. ❤️

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