Those who knew and loved Ella Elizabeth Thomas described her as bold, funny and feisty.
“She was our first born and was born with a huge personality,” said Ella’s father Chris Thomas during testimony before a House subcommittee Thursday. “From the womb, she had determination.”
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Ella was a loving sister and daughter.
She was also a person who her family later discovered was suffering from a mental health crisis.
“She gave until she could give no more,” said Thomas.
Tragically, Ella took her own life at just 24 years old.
“On the day Ella took her own life, a police officer handed my wife her phone to show the last text that she sent before she died,” said Thomas. “Two of her friends were struggling with depression and she was helping them save their own lives.”
READ: No metal detectors, more mental health: Here’s how an SRO wants to protect schools
Her father testified about his loss to raise awareness about mental illness and to help break down the stigma.
Thomas and his family, including his son Solomon Thomas, a defensive tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders, started the nonprofit group called The Defensive Line in Ella’s honor.
The organization aims to help stop suicide, particularly among people of color.
READ: Department of Education approves $415 million in student loan forgiveness for certain students
“We are turning pain into purpose,” said Thomas.
Thomas was one of several witnesses testifying before lawmakers who called on Congress to invest in getting more help to vulnerable populations, including young people and people of color.
“We encourage the committee to pursue policies that promote access to needed behavioral health services with particular focus on extended care for vulnerable populations,” said Dr. Lisa Fortuna, a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the Vice-Chair of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco.
READ: Drunk woman causes scene at OIA, tries to get away on motorized suitcase, police say
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder in their lifetime.
Thomas is hoping to help others by sharing his family’s story and by urging policymakers to invest in resources to help people struggling with a mental health crisis.
“We will work to ensure that what happened to Ella doesn’t happen to others but we can’t do it alone,” said Thomas.
If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.