Grade 11 student uses personal experience with mental illness to inspire others
By Laura Lennie, News Staff
For Emilie Suwala, bringing awareness to mental health problems and breaking the stigma around mental illness is personal.
“I know what it’s like to battle mental illness, to be like those people that are in the dark and struggling because they don’t want to come out because of all the stigma around it,” the 16-year-old Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School Grade 11 student said. “That’s why I want to help them.”
Suwala was always anxious as a kid.
“I never liked not knowing things,” she said. “If we were going to make plans for a day, I needed to know what we were going to do and when. I needed things planned out.”
Suwala’s anxiety got worse come high school.
It reached a climax when she was in Grade 10.
Suwala’s days were filled with constant worry and severe panic attacks.
Overcome with the effects of these symptoms, she began to struggle with school.
Suwala experienced several attacks a day at times.
Left exhausted and embarrassed by these attacks, she worked hard to return to her classes and resume her learning, but despite her best efforts, an overwhelming sense of hopelessness consumed her.
Suwala said it was like she was standing on a high mountain an inch away from falling off it.
The smallest thing could push her off, like getting a wrong answer on a test or overhearing an insignificant comment by someone.
“When that push would happen, I would fall off this mountain,” she said. “I would keep falling and falling and waiting to hit the ground, but I would never hit the ground. Instead, I’d get put back on that mountain again, an inch away from the edge waiting for the next push.”
Suwala started to notice her painful experiences were impacting on her personal relationships.
She was lashing out aggressively at her parents and friends and began to think she was becoming a burden to them.
Suwala isolated herself more and more and started to lose interest in her past activities and passions.
She assumed her inability to regulate her emotions was a reflection of a personality weakness and that it was her fault.
Suwala said she didn’t want to sit with her friends at lunch or hang out with them after school.
She would sit in her room and do nothing.
“I would cry myself to sleep for days, even weeks,” she said. “I hated how isolated I became, but I couldn’t face this obstacle no matter how much I wanted to. I didn’t have the strength to beat it.”
Suwala eventually became involved with a new Bishop Ryan group – the Celtic Circle Student Leadership Club – as it was just starting up.
The club aims to bring awareness to mental health problems and break the sigma surrounding mental illness through the iMatter: Taking Care of Teen Mental Health initiative.
Student-led and teacher-facilitated, the initiative involves senior peer mentors who are trained to deliver a series of three lessons on mental health and illness to Grade 9 students. The interactive program includes knowledge-based information, direct contact with individuals who have been treated for a mental illness and generic empathy-building strategies.
Suwala attended club meetings regularly and learned more about mental health problems and mental illness.
She earned her certification for suicide alertness training and participated in some of the club’s events.
Suwala accepted more and more responsibility within the club, as members prepared to deliver the lessons on mental health and illness to Grade 9 students.
She also decided to seek help as her anxiety and panic attacks continued to interfere with school and her ability to find joy in life.
A school guidance counsellor directed Suwala to a social worker, who then suggested she see a doctor.
Suwala was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder and panic attacks at age 14 while in Grade 10.
Despite the diagnosis and continuing to suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, she challenged herself and forged ahead.
Within a few months, she was not only delivering lessons on mental health and illness to Grade 9 students, but also facilitating presentations on the topic at local, provincial and national conferences.
Suwala is considered a club leader and helps to encourage other students to get involved through the many presentations that she makes in that role.
She also assists in training the newer club leaders for presentations and has been instrumental in helping to train and inspire other peers to implement mental health initiatives at their schools.
Suwala is considered one of the founding members of the club.
“Everyone jokes around and says that I’m the president,” she laughed. “I’m not. It’s a team effort.”
Suwala said the club and initiative benefits not only teens who are suffering, but also those who may know someone who is.
“It helps others have a better understanding and empathy toward others who are suffering,” she said. “That understanding and empathy has far-reaching effects. It’s something they can carry on into adulthood.”
Suwala said her own personal experience with mental illness is what motivates her to continue to spread the word.
“I want others to know that it’s OK to talk about,” she said. “I want them to know that they’re not alone. Just knowing that I can help build a community that’s safer for people to come out and say, ‘I’ve been having bad days, I can’t get over this,’ and they can talk about it means all the difference in the world to me.”
That attitude has led Suwala to earn an Ontario Community Newspapers Association 2014 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year award.
The award recognizes outstanding young people, age six to 17, who are performing worthwhile community service, contributing to their communities while living with limitations, have performed acts of heroism or are good kids who are making life better for others and doing more than expected of someone their age.
Suwala is among 12 recipients from across the province who will be honoured during a special ceremony on March 9 at Queen’s Park.
Marisa Mariella, who is a teacher advisor for the Celtic Circle Student Leadership Club and nominated Suwala for the award, said there is something so inspiring about a person who courageously turns adversity into opportunity.
Suwala could have chosen to remain silent about her experience with anxiety and who would have blamed her, she said.
“People who suffer from mental illness often say that the stigma they feel is worse than the illness itself,” Mariella said. “When I first met Emilie, I don’t think she could have ever imagined she would be presenting on mental health and mental illness to large audiences at national conferences. Yet, within a short year, she made a conscious decision that she would use her suffering to learn more about what was happening to her and in doing so, she realized that others do not have to sink into despair and pain.”
Mariella said when people read this article, some may recognize Suwala personally as a classmate, friend or neighbour.
But even more important is the fact that others will see themselves in Suwala’s story, she said.
“It will be her story that may inspire others to find the strength and courage to get help,” Mariella said. “She understands that many teens feel the same set of symptoms that can rob them of their energy, focus and hope. I am so proud of Emilie for finding the inner strength to climb out of the darkness and to help others find the light.”
Suwala, who is coping with her anxiety, said she’s humbled and honoured by the award.
“Honestly, I can’t put into words how it feels,” she said tearfully. “It’s just an amazing feeling, knowing that Ms. Mariella recognized me and that other people recognize what I’m doing. It just encourages me to keep it going and hopefully I can motivate others to do the same thing.”
Cardinal Newman’s Cara Persia garners Junior Citizen of the Year nomination
Cara Persia has earned an Ontario Community Newspapers Association 2014 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year award nomination.
The Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School Grade 12 student is a member of the school’s Peer Mentors group, Healthy Action and Living team, Police Chief Advisory committee, Run 4 Their Lives group, student and athletic council, and lends her time to various community initiatives, including Newman Youth Basketball and Saltfleet Soccer – to name a few.
Grade 11 student uses personal experience with mental illness to inspire others
By Laura Lennie, News Staff
For Emilie Suwala, bringing awareness to mental health problems and breaking the stigma around mental illness is personal.
“I know what it’s like to battle mental illness, to be like those people that are in the dark and struggling because they don’t want to come out because of all the stigma around it,” the 16-year-old Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School Grade 11 student said. “That’s why I want to help them.”
Suwala was always anxious as a kid.
“I never liked not knowing things,” she said. “If we were going to make plans for a day, I needed to know what we were going to do and when. I needed things planned out.”
Suwala’s anxiety got worse come high school.
It reached a climax when she was in Grade 10.
Suwala’s days were filled with constant worry and severe panic attacks.
Overcome with the effects of these symptoms, she began to struggle with school.
Suwala experienced several attacks a day at times.
Left exhausted and embarrassed by these attacks, she worked hard to return to her classes and resume her learning, but despite her best efforts, an overwhelming sense of hopelessness consumed her.
Suwala said it was like she was standing on a high mountain an inch away from falling off it.
The smallest thing could push her off, like getting a wrong answer on a test or overhearing an insignificant comment by someone.
“When that push would happen, I would fall off this mountain,” she said. “I would keep falling and falling and waiting to hit the ground, but I would never hit the ground. Instead, I’d get put back on that mountain again, an inch away from the edge waiting for the next push.”
Suwala started to notice her painful experiences were impacting on her personal relationships.
She was lashing out aggressively at her parents and friends and began to think she was becoming a burden to them.
Suwala isolated herself more and more and started to lose interest in her past activities and passions.
She assumed her inability to regulate her emotions was a reflection of a personality weakness and that it was her fault.
Suwala said she didn’t want to sit with her friends at lunch or hang out with them after school.
She would sit in her room and do nothing.
“I would cry myself to sleep for days, even weeks,” she said. “I hated how isolated I became, but I couldn’t face this obstacle no matter how much I wanted to. I didn’t have the strength to beat it.”
Suwala eventually became involved with a new Bishop Ryan group – the Celtic Circle Student Leadership Club – as it was just starting up.
The club aims to bring awareness to mental health problems and break the sigma surrounding mental illness through the iMatter: Taking Care of Teen Mental Health initiative.
Student-led and teacher-facilitated, the initiative involves senior peer mentors who are trained to deliver a series of three lessons on mental health and illness to Grade 9 students. The interactive program includes knowledge-based information, direct contact with individuals who have been treated for a mental illness and generic empathy-building strategies.
Suwala attended club meetings regularly and learned more about mental health problems and mental illness.
She earned her certification for suicide alertness training and participated in some of the club’s events.
Suwala accepted more and more responsibility within the club, as members prepared to deliver the lessons on mental health and illness to Grade 9 students.
She also decided to seek help as her anxiety and panic attacks continued to interfere with school and her ability to find joy in life.
A school guidance counsellor directed Suwala to a social worker, who then suggested she see a doctor.
Suwala was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder and panic attacks at age 14 while in Grade 10.
Despite the diagnosis and continuing to suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, she challenged herself and forged ahead.
Within a few months, she was not only delivering lessons on mental health and illness to Grade 9 students, but also facilitating presentations on the topic at local, provincial and national conferences.
Suwala is considered a club leader and helps to encourage other students to get involved through the many presentations that she makes in that role.
She also assists in training the newer club leaders for presentations and has been instrumental in helping to train and inspire other peers to implement mental health initiatives at their schools.
Suwala is considered one of the founding members of the club.
“Everyone jokes around and says that I’m the president,” she laughed. “I’m not. It’s a team effort.”
Suwala said the club and initiative benefits not only teens who are suffering, but also those who may know someone who is.
“It helps others have a better understanding and empathy toward others who are suffering,” she said. “That understanding and empathy has far-reaching effects. It’s something they can carry on into adulthood.”
Suwala said her own personal experience with mental illness is what motivates her to continue to spread the word.
“I want others to know that it’s OK to talk about,” she said. “I want them to know that they’re not alone. Just knowing that I can help build a community that’s safer for people to come out and say, ‘I’ve been having bad days, I can’t get over this,’ and they can talk about it means all the difference in the world to me.”
That attitude has led Suwala to earn an Ontario Community Newspapers Association 2014 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year award.
The award recognizes outstanding young people, age six to 17, who are performing worthwhile community service, contributing to their communities while living with limitations, have performed acts of heroism or are good kids who are making life better for others and doing more than expected of someone their age.
Suwala is among 12 recipients from across the province who will be honoured during a special ceremony on March 9 at Queen’s Park.
Marisa Mariella, who is a teacher advisor for the Celtic Circle Student Leadership Club and nominated Suwala for the award, said there is something so inspiring about a person who courageously turns adversity into opportunity.
Suwala could have chosen to remain silent about her experience with anxiety and who would have blamed her, she said.
“People who suffer from mental illness often say that the stigma they feel is worse than the illness itself,” Mariella said. “When I first met Emilie, I don’t think she could have ever imagined she would be presenting on mental health and mental illness to large audiences at national conferences. Yet, within a short year, she made a conscious decision that she would use her suffering to learn more about what was happening to her and in doing so, she realized that others do not have to sink into despair and pain.”
Mariella said when people read this article, some may recognize Suwala personally as a classmate, friend or neighbour.
But even more important is the fact that others will see themselves in Suwala’s story, she said.
“It will be her story that may inspire others to find the strength and courage to get help,” Mariella said. “She understands that many teens feel the same set of symptoms that can rob them of their energy, focus and hope. I am so proud of Emilie for finding the inner strength to climb out of the darkness and to help others find the light.”
Suwala, who is coping with her anxiety, said she’s humbled and honoured by the award.
“Honestly, I can’t put into words how it feels,” she said tearfully. “It’s just an amazing feeling, knowing that Ms. Mariella recognized me and that other people recognize what I’m doing. It just encourages me to keep it going and hopefully I can motivate others to do the same thing.”
Cardinal Newman’s Cara Persia garners Junior Citizen of the Year nomination
Cara Persia has earned an Ontario Community Newspapers Association 2014 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year award nomination.
The Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School Grade 12 student is a member of the school’s Peer Mentors group, Healthy Action and Living team, Police Chief Advisory committee, Run 4 Their Lives group, student and athletic council, and lends her time to various community initiatives, including Newman Youth Basketball and Saltfleet Soccer – to name a few.
Grade 11 student uses personal experience with mental illness to inspire others
By Laura Lennie, News Staff
For Emilie Suwala, bringing awareness to mental health problems and breaking the stigma around mental illness is personal.
“I know what it’s like to battle mental illness, to be like those people that are in the dark and struggling because they don’t want to come out because of all the stigma around it,” the 16-year-old Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School Grade 11 student said. “That’s why I want to help them.”
Suwala was always anxious as a kid.
“I never liked not knowing things,” she said. “If we were going to make plans for a day, I needed to know what we were going to do and when. I needed things planned out.”
Suwala’s anxiety got worse come high school.
It reached a climax when she was in Grade 10.
Suwala’s days were filled with constant worry and severe panic attacks.
Overcome with the effects of these symptoms, she began to struggle with school.
Suwala experienced several attacks a day at times.
Left exhausted and embarrassed by these attacks, she worked hard to return to her classes and resume her learning, but despite her best efforts, an overwhelming sense of hopelessness consumed her.
Suwala said it was like she was standing on a high mountain an inch away from falling off it.
The smallest thing could push her off, like getting a wrong answer on a test or overhearing an insignificant comment by someone.
“When that push would happen, I would fall off this mountain,” she said. “I would keep falling and falling and waiting to hit the ground, but I would never hit the ground. Instead, I’d get put back on that mountain again, an inch away from the edge waiting for the next push.”
Suwala started to notice her painful experiences were impacting on her personal relationships.
She was lashing out aggressively at her parents and friends and began to think she was becoming a burden to them.
Suwala isolated herself more and more and started to lose interest in her past activities and passions.
She assumed her inability to regulate her emotions was a reflection of a personality weakness and that it was her fault.
Suwala said she didn’t want to sit with her friends at lunch or hang out with them after school.
She would sit in her room and do nothing.
“I would cry myself to sleep for days, even weeks,” she said. “I hated how isolated I became, but I couldn’t face this obstacle no matter how much I wanted to. I didn’t have the strength to beat it.”
Suwala eventually became involved with a new Bishop Ryan group – the Celtic Circle Student Leadership Club – as it was just starting up.
The club aims to bring awareness to mental health problems and break the sigma surrounding mental illness through the iMatter: Taking Care of Teen Mental Health initiative.
Student-led and teacher-facilitated, the initiative involves senior peer mentors who are trained to deliver a series of three lessons on mental health and illness to Grade 9 students. The interactive program includes knowledge-based information, direct contact with individuals who have been treated for a mental illness and generic empathy-building strategies.
Suwala attended club meetings regularly and learned more about mental health problems and mental illness.
She earned her certification for suicide alertness training and participated in some of the club’s events.
Suwala accepted more and more responsibility within the club, as members prepared to deliver the lessons on mental health and illness to Grade 9 students.
She also decided to seek help as her anxiety and panic attacks continued to interfere with school and her ability to find joy in life.
A school guidance counsellor directed Suwala to a social worker, who then suggested she see a doctor.
Suwala was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder and panic attacks at age 14 while in Grade 10.
Despite the diagnosis and continuing to suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, she challenged herself and forged ahead.
Within a few months, she was not only delivering lessons on mental health and illness to Grade 9 students, but also facilitating presentations on the topic at local, provincial and national conferences.
Suwala is considered a club leader and helps to encourage other students to get involved through the many presentations that she makes in that role.
She also assists in training the newer club leaders for presentations and has been instrumental in helping to train and inspire other peers to implement mental health initiatives at their schools.
Suwala is considered one of the founding members of the club.
“Everyone jokes around and says that I’m the president,” she laughed. “I’m not. It’s a team effort.”
Suwala said the club and initiative benefits not only teens who are suffering, but also those who may know someone who is.
“It helps others have a better understanding and empathy toward others who are suffering,” she said. “That understanding and empathy has far-reaching effects. It’s something they can carry on into adulthood.”
Suwala said her own personal experience with mental illness is what motivates her to continue to spread the word.
“I want others to know that it’s OK to talk about,” she said. “I want them to know that they’re not alone. Just knowing that I can help build a community that’s safer for people to come out and say, ‘I’ve been having bad days, I can’t get over this,’ and they can talk about it means all the difference in the world to me.”
That attitude has led Suwala to earn an Ontario Community Newspapers Association 2014 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year award.
The award recognizes outstanding young people, age six to 17, who are performing worthwhile community service, contributing to their communities while living with limitations, have performed acts of heroism or are good kids who are making life better for others and doing more than expected of someone their age.
Suwala is among 12 recipients from across the province who will be honoured during a special ceremony on March 9 at Queen’s Park.
Marisa Mariella, who is a teacher advisor for the Celtic Circle Student Leadership Club and nominated Suwala for the award, said there is something so inspiring about a person who courageously turns adversity into opportunity.
Suwala could have chosen to remain silent about her experience with anxiety and who would have blamed her, she said.
“People who suffer from mental illness often say that the stigma they feel is worse than the illness itself,” Mariella said. “When I first met Emilie, I don’t think she could have ever imagined she would be presenting on mental health and mental illness to large audiences at national conferences. Yet, within a short year, she made a conscious decision that she would use her suffering to learn more about what was happening to her and in doing so, she realized that others do not have to sink into despair and pain.”
Mariella said when people read this article, some may recognize Suwala personally as a classmate, friend or neighbour.
But even more important is the fact that others will see themselves in Suwala’s story, she said.
“It will be her story that may inspire others to find the strength and courage to get help,” Mariella said. “She understands that many teens feel the same set of symptoms that can rob them of their energy, focus and hope. I am so proud of Emilie for finding the inner strength to climb out of the darkness and to help others find the light.”
Suwala, who is coping with her anxiety, said she’s humbled and honoured by the award.
“Honestly, I can’t put into words how it feels,” she said tearfully. “It’s just an amazing feeling, knowing that Ms. Mariella recognized me and that other people recognize what I’m doing. It just encourages me to keep it going and hopefully I can motivate others to do the same thing.”
Cardinal Newman’s Cara Persia garners Junior Citizen of the Year nomination
Cara Persia has earned an Ontario Community Newspapers Association 2014 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year award nomination.
The Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School Grade 12 student is a member of the school’s Peer Mentors group, Healthy Action and Living team, Police Chief Advisory committee, Run 4 Their Lives group, student and athletic council, and lends her time to various community initiatives, including Newman Youth Basketball and Saltfleet Soccer – to name a few.