Emma Coonfield

Emma is a 21 year-old college student traversing the winding, sometimes harsh, but always hopeful road of depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She hopes her poetry will resonate with others who, like her, suffer, but are starting to see the strength and worth within.

Response to creative prompt: "When I look in the mirror, I see..."

These poems are about a journey. A before and after story about trauma and recovery. I am a 21-year-old college student. Diagnosed with depression and PTSD. I am currently 3 months sober of self-injury. My first suicide attempt was when I was 8 years old. I starting cutting when I was 12. I had suicidal ideation most of my adolescence. School has been my only real solace and therapy, Therapy helps. My last attempt was over a year ago. Someone made me call a suicide help line after seeing me sobbing in my car. I was going to drive to, and then walk off the crooked river bridge. These poems delve into what it is like to reprocess events. How what I see in the mirror has morphed. It is truly strange to actually see yourself. After having your sense of self be systematic stripped from you, it's funny just how strange seeing yourself is.