The film “My Ascension” tells the story of suicide prevention speaker Emma Benoit, whose attempt to end her life at 16 left her paralyzed.
MY ASCENSION and the My Ascension Project – in partnership with the Burlington County Division of Behavioral Health and Youth Services – will host an encore screening of the documentary, “My Ascension,” through Saturday, Dec. 14.
“My Ascension” is the story of nationally recognized suicide prevention speaker Emma Benoit, whose attempt to end her life at 16 left her paralyzed. The documentary focuses on the day that changed Benoit’s life and everything that’s happened since.
“Oftentimes, whenever I would be struggling with big feelings or emotional circumstances that were challenging,” she explained after a screening of the film on Nov. 19, “it felt as though whenever I decided to open up and start a conversation with someone, that their goal was always to fix the problem and fix the emotion, whereas I was just looking to be heard and to be seen.
“Truly the biggest thing that could have made a difference – even prior to my (suicide) attempt itself – would have been if I had felt like emotionally I was seen and heard,” Benoit added. “And so really kind of creating a space where any kind of emotion – negative, positive, good, bad, ugly – is welcome and accepted and valid, I think would have made a tremendous difference in the way that I was choosing to navigate my own mental and emotional struggles and stressors at the time.”
Benoit silently struggled with anxiety and depression for years, ashamed to share her pain with family or friends. As paralysis forced her to navigate challenges, she discovered purpose and passion in helping other struggling teens.
“My Ascension” includes first-hand experiences of families, friends, school officials and suicide prevention experts. It does not shy away from the reality of an ongoing youth suicide crisis, but shares valuable resources to help keep teens safe.
One is Hope Squad, a school-based, peer-to-peer suicide prevention program whose members are nominated by classmates as trustworthy peers and trained by advisors. The effort reduces the risk of youth suicide through education, training and peer support.
“That is something that I’m super proud of, getting the chance to impact communities in such a way that is lasting and sort of changes the narrative that young people have whenever they think about mental and emotional pain and distress,” Benoit noted. “It is truly such an achievement for not only myself, but for communities at large.
“I’ve been able to inspire and encourage over 30 Hope Squad (programs) across the nation thus far with this documentary film,” she added, “so it’s super rewarding for me in the work that I get to do whenever I can see that people are actively buying into the change that I’m trying to encourage.”
Benoit also praised school programs on suicide prevention.
“It’s really rewarding and it’s super encouraging that schools all over the country are taking this initiative of having programs in school that not only empower students to use their voices, but ultimately equip the staff and the students with those skills,” she observed.
“I think it’s a win-win for all of us.”
There are more than one million suicide attempts each year in the U.S., according to www.myascension.us. Benoit and MY ASCENSION are on a mission to provide easy access to mental-health resources and prevent suicide with social-media campaigns. Benoit and the My Ascension Project recognize the importance of peer-to-peer support in keeping kids safe. Other programs empower young people to take an active role in suicide prevention and mental-wellness efforts.
“Your presence and your support are almost as helpful as your advice and your encouragement,” Benoit emphasized. “So really, really emphasizing that being an active listener, being an empathetic, active listener is where you want to be as a supportive person of someone who’s young …
“Big feelings are not comfortable …” she continued. “They’re a part of our reality, so the more that we can encourage people to just sit with their feelings and acknowledge them and feel them – as opposed to trying to rush and make it all better and give them something to be happy about – I think the better that will be …
“Ultimately, when we’re struggling and going through something hard, we all just want to feel heard.”
Benoit’s November visit to the county library was hosted by the Burlington County Commissioners and the county Department of Human Services. Following the “My Ascension” screening, Benoit participated in an open discussion about teenage suicide and mental illness, with the goal to dispel stigma and providing hope to others struggling with depression or other mental illnesses.
If your life or someone else’s life is in imminent danger, call 911. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
To view the documentary “My Ascension,” visit https://watch.showandtell.film/watch/burlingtoncounty
