Opinion: Emma Powell’s mother writes of her daughter’s tragic suicide

I AM sharing Em’s story so that people can start to question why mental health isn’t front and centre of government agendas.

Emma Powell's mum Shannon described her daughter as “a beautiful soul who loved nature”.

My daughter Emma took her own life shortly before Christmas after a four-year battle with depression that began in primary school. She sought and received help, but in the end the pain was too much. She was 16 years old.

I am sharing Em’s story so that people can start to question why mental health isn’t front and centre of government agendas, start asking why are our youth hurting so much, and help people to understand the impact youth suicide has on our kids, communities and country.

I do want to make sure that the Grafton community is thanked for their efforts in trying to locate Em.

Grafton High School student Emma Powell took her own life after a four-year battle with depression.

Without the community’s love and support we wouldn’t have been able to get through the days while she was missing and now that she is gone.

I don’t want Em’s death to be for nothing. There are children out there screaming and no one is listening.

I have heard the generalisations such as: “It’s technology to blame, it’s social media to blame.” I have even said that myself. But while there can be negative impacts of social media, older generations need to understand that this is how the kids communicate and ­express themselves.

They are so connected with each other, they share their thoughts and try to help each other.

I am never ashamed of Em, even during her most self-­destructive times.

They just don’t have the ­resources or knowledge how to do it effectively and they are doing it alone.

I am grateful for Em’s love of social media and her connection to her friends.

I have her photos and her videos and I see the world through her eyes. Even in her darkest days she could still see the beauty in this world.

I could probably talk for a long time on how youth suicide is affecting our children, however, I don’t have the ­answer. If I did, Em would be here with us now.

A change in our culture and the way we view mental health is required. People need to discuss mental health with each other, talk to their kids about it, ask them how are they feeling and really listen, share the stories of their pain and the pain of their children.

Children have changed and we need to find the way to reach them.

I am never ashamed of Em, even during her most self-­destructive times. We loved her but our love alone was not enough to hold her here and help her heal. We now carry the pain of her leaving.

Em’s story is no different to the thousands of children who lose the struggle with themselves every year. There are ­remote Aboriginal communities where children are dying every week, communities across Australia are losing their children at a shocking rate and we as a society seem to be numb or ignorant to the impact. This is the real tragedy.

We should rethink how we share concepts such as love and community. Previously this was done through ­religious education and everyone was on the same page, but times have changed and children have changed and we need to find the way to reach them.

Love and caring for each other hasn’t changed, it’s just not delivered and taught in a way that connects and captures kids’ hearts.

Lifeline:13 11 14

headspace.org.au