Our Someone 2 Know this week is Emma White, born and raised in Reno.
She says during her early teen years - looking at her life from the outside - you would've never known she was battling suicidal depression. Now a young adult, she has devoted her life to helping teens survive anxiety and depression.
Emma White doesn't usually get emotional when she talks about suicide.
But when it comes to remembering the day - ten years ago, this month, when she tried to end her own life, her voice catches and her eyes well up.
"The emotions of that - and recognizing that - is huge.”
The strides Emma has made since then are also huge; white is now an author and the founder of an organization created to prevent suicide. It all started with simple honesty.
"I started opening up on social media about my story and because of that I started t get a lot of followers and engagement from other teens, across the nation, saying hey, I deal with this, too - what should I do?"
White felt compelled to find an answer. She recently released a self-help book and autobiography called 'It's Not Okay, But It Will Be" and launched a website called life is worth it, filled with resources.
“…and also provides workshops in our city for teens and young adults to overcome depression"
Recent workshops have been done virtually, because of the pandemic. Ironically, the same reason many young people are struggling right now with crippling depression and anxiety. Emma says for her, it felt like being consumed by a dark cloud.
"Feeling really confused about being sad or angry or eve numb, not understanding why it was happening to me."
So, while photos show Emma active and happy ten years ago, she would soon try to take her own life.
It was her parents who found her.
“They saved me,” Emma strains through choked tears, “And I'm forever thankful for that."
Thankful and inspired to help others discover that life is worth it.
"I'm ready to devote my life to saving teens and young adults."
###
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. It's available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.
You might not feel comfortable talking with someone on the phone about your feelings, and that's okay. Text HOME to 741741 to talk to someone through text message.
You can also check out Emma’s website -
