My Ascension: A Documentary Film and Movement to Spread Hope and Fight Suicide

This documentary is appropriate for middle school and high school-age students, parents, and community members wanting to make a difference. Mental health professionals from Polara Health will be on hand before, during, and after the showing for support and to answer questions. A suicide attempt left 16-year-old varsity cheerleader, Emma Benoit, paralyzed, but propelled her on a mission to use her painful experience to help others find hope, and shine more light on the fact that 20 young people die every day by suicide in the United States. My Ascension is a feature length documentary that chronicles Emma’s inspiring journey and quest to walk again, as she works to bring Hope Squad, a school-based suicide prevention program, to Louisiana. The film also highlights the stories of two remarkable young people who tragically did not survive their attempts, and we learn first-hand from their families, friends, school officials and suicide prevention experts about the devastating effects of suicide and what can be done to prevent it.