Breaking the Stigma - suicide attempt survivor shares story, hopes to inspire others

TOMBALL, Texas (FOX 26) - After years of depression and battling bipolar disorder, 56-year-old Rhonda Ellis can now start to pinpoint the root of what caused her to attempt suicide four different times throughout her life. 

"I felt like there was no hope," said Ellis. "I didn't have a support system. When I was 10 years old, I was sexually abused." She also said that over the course of two years, her neighbor sexually abused her multiple times and her cries for help, to her mother, were often ignored or overlooked.

"My mom would say, 'I was wondering why you said. Oh, that's why you were doing that. I was wondering why you didn't want him to babysit you,'" described Ellis.

Couple that with her family's complex history with mental illness. Both her grandfather and grand uncle committed suicide in their adulthood and her sister Kathy, who has now become her main support system, also attempted to kill herself several years ago. 

Dr. Elizabeth Newlin is the vice chair of child and adolescent psychiatry at UTHealth. 

"We've seen a 24 percent increase in completed suicides, particularly in younger, adolescent females, 10-to-14 years old," said Dr. Newlin. She also said children lack a sense of self-awareness and need their parents, teachers and peers to intervene, especially after a traumatic experience like a hurricane, school shooting, or becoming the victim of sexual assault.

"A major protector from suicide is a sense of connectedness and having caring others that you feel strongly connected to in your life, adults and peers," added Dr. Newlin.

In fact, Ellis said her close relationship with her sister and the love from her dog, Angel, has helped her conquer her disease over the last thirty years. Her appointments with her psychiatrist have lessened significantly.

"I used to see him about twice a week, sometimes once a week," added Ellis. "Now I'm seeing him once a year. That's how good I'm doing."

Ellis takes two different types of medications to help her cope with her illness. She also said gardening, journaling and sewing help keep her distracted, and take her mind off any bouts of depression that may relapse. She hopes her story will help inspire others to break the stigma and seek treatment.  

"I just want people to know, don't give up," said Ellis. "There's hope. You need to talk to somebody if you're so depressed you're suicidal."

Doctors say parents can also help their children by locking and securing their weapons. Parents should also aim to address the topic of suicide without glamorizing or romanticizing the act. It's also recommended that parents monitor their kids' social media activity and overall, being in tune with what their kids are up to.