Courtesy of My Ascension
In 2017 by all appearance then 16-year-old Emma Benoit, a Dutchtown high school varsity cheerleader in Ascension Parish led the perfect life. But the veil soon dropped when she attempted suicide and it left her paralyzed. Now she’s sharing her story with a documentary of hope and recovery entitled My Ascension.
“I was approached by a filmmaker here in Baton Rouge and he was really inspired by my story and just really was encouraging me that my story would make a difference and help save lives hopefully and so, of course, I wanted to do that,” said Benoit.
Now 21, Benoit said she’s always wanted to help others and feels her film is doing just that by showing others, like herself when she was at her lowest point at age 16 with a gun in her hand, that help it out there.
“And just let them know that they’re not alone. Don’t be ashamed of your feelings because it’s ok to not always be ok, and that there is help out there, there is hope out there,” said Benoit.
Teen suicide attempts were up 50-percent from March 2020 to February of this year compared to the previous time period. Benoit said while social media wasn’t the main reason for her suicide attempt it was a contributing factor.
“When you have low self-image and you don’t receive compliments well and you are comparing yourself it’s a recipe for self-destruction,” said Benoit.
For more information about her documentary film visit myascension.us
For help visit the National Suicide Prevention Hotline
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