In this episode of Leaders of Today, Teens to Titans, Lorraine sits down with Leah Rothchild to talk about the hidden reality of teen depression, substance use, and what it actually takes to heal. Leah shares how she went from being a joyful, high-achieving kid to silently struggling with depression, self-harm, and addiction, all while still “looking fine” on the outside.

Leah breaks down why substance use is not always obvious, how stigma and shame keep people from getting help, and why mental health care must be integrated into everyday pediatric care. She also shares what ultimately changed her path, what teens and parents need most, and why hope can still exist even when it feels like it doesn’t.

• What Leah was like as a child and how her mental health shifted around age 10

• Why depression can show up even when life looks “perfect” from the outside

• How guilt and shame can fuel substance use and keep the cycle going

• The misconception that addiction is always obvious or immediately “destroys” someone’s life

• The difference between feeling hopeless and being hopeless

• Why stigma is dangerous, even inside healthcare settings

• How Leah’s lived experience shaped her path toward pediatric and psychiatric care

• What parents can do to support teens without judgment, fear, or shame

Feeling completely hopeless is different than being completely hopeless. If you do not get help the first time you ask, ask again. The right support exists, and it can change everything.

Leah Rothchild

• Email: rothchild.leah@gmail.com