About the Organization
Life Is Worth It was founded in 2020 by Suicide Survivor and Mental Health Advocate Emma White. During a worldwide pandemic, it could have been the best or the worst time to launch an organization. Emma quickly realized it was the best time, as millions of young people across the country have been struggling with their mental health for years and want to learn how to help themselves and others. Life Is Worth It produces and provides workshops, readings, videos and curriculum to educate youth and their communities on total life health and wellness to prevent suicide. The organization is governed by advocates and experts who have a shared passion to change the mental health conversations and education in communities. We believe health and wellness is interconnected by physical, emotional, digital, and mental health and with the proper education, conversations, life skills and coping techniques, we can prevent youth suicide and across the lifespan.
Mission
To produce and provide workshops, readings, videos and curriculum to educate youth and their communities on total life wellness to help prevent suicide.
Vision
To educate and promote total life wellness amongst youth populations and their communities to prevent suicide across the entire lifespan.
Values
We seek to connect and inspire communities to prioritize their mental and physical health. We aspire to excel in all that we do, conducting all aspects of our work with integrity, respect, support, and empathy for diverse populations, communities, and stories. We aim to reduce stigma and provide safe places for people to learn and seek support.
Founder, President
Emma White, President & Founder
Emma White developed suicidal depression at the age of 15 due to bullying and harassment at school and on social media. With family, friends and professional help, Emma overcame her struggles and lives to tell her story to help encourage others that life is worth the heartbreaks, uncertainty and struggles- that ultimately, life is worth it. By sharing her story and self-help guide, Emma proves that fighting for your life amidst the pain won't always be easy, but will be worth it.
A few of Emma's Recent Accomplishments Include:
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Reno/Tahoe Young Professional's Network 20 Under 40 Winner
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Washoe County Youth Mental Health Summit Panelist
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Ted x Reno 2022 Speaker
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Finalist, Influential Women of Northern Nevada 2021
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Jersey Mike's 2021 Sub Abover Grant Winner
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Keynote speaker for 'Dodge for a Cause' Prevention Event
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NASC (Nevada Association for Student Council) 'Let's Talk' YouTube Series
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#ICanHelp Mental Health Panel
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Keynote speaker for Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention Annual Walk
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Washoe County School District Virtual Town Hall
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Hope Means Nevada Mental Wellness for Educators
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KTVN Channel 2 Someone 2 Know
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Southern NASC Mental Wellness Workshop Presenter
Interested in hiring Emma to speak at your event? Send a message below to discuss availability and pricing!
Meet our Board of Directors
Rollins Stallworth recognized the need to prevent suicide and destigmatize mental health, especially within our male youth and athlete populations. He has lost several friends and family to suicide. While competing as a two sport athlete at Stanford, Rollins earned two degrees, represented student- athlete's rights nationwide on the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and was 1 of 10 Stanford students selected to participate in an exclusive roundtable discussion with former President Barack Obama. Since graduating, Rollins regularly engages with students, professional athletes, business leaders and influencers to positively impact his community and expand the conversation on mental health. Rollins is also an Early Stage Tech Investor at Nava Ventures.
Rollins Stallworth, Board Chair
Reid Lunceford is a Manager in Ernst & Young’s Assurance practice, where he serves a wide variety of both public and private clients. Reid obtained his Bachelor's in Accounting from the University of Arizona and his Masters of Accounting from the University of Nevada, Reno and currently is a licensed C.P.A. in the state of Arizona. In his spare time, Reid enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with his wife and dog.
Reid Lunceford, Board Treasurer
Elise Vierra (she/hers) graduated from Stanford University, where she earned her BA and MA in Communication and played DI field hockey. During her sophomore year, she was diagnosed with and later hospitalized for depression, and experienced the loss of her best friend to suicide. Elise's work after graduation remains deeply tied to these experiences: most recently at a digital therapeutics company, where she lead content design and development for the first digital treatment for adolescent depression as the Chief Creative Officer. She looks forward to advancing the Life Is Worth It mission by joining the board as Compliance Officer.
Elise Vierra, Compliance Officer
Angela White is a marketing and advertising professional with more than 25 years experience. She began her career as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the American Gem Society, a North American trade association. She also served as Alumni Program Manager for the University of Nevada Reno and held the position of Director of Marketing and Communications for the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County. Most recently, she retired as the CEO of the Reno Philharmonic. Angela is looking forward to add her expertise to this important mission.
Angela White, Director of Events & Marketing
Megan Swetech, also known as May, was born and raised in the Bay Area of California. After struggling with her own mental health challenges throughout her teenage years, she found hope and healing in advocating for mental health and mental health resources while navigating her own journey. Beginning her career in the fashion industry, she gained experience in marketing and social media, and now works as a real estate agent in Reno, Nevada where she lives with her husband. May is passionate about providing education for suicide prevention while being a mental health advocate and is excited to bring her passion to the Board of Directors.
Megan Swetech, Board Secretary
Patricia Brouhard is an Educator, Mental Health Advocate, and Coach who received her Bachelor’s of Science in Secondary Education in 2001 with a focus on Physical Education and a Minor in Health. In 2019, she earned her Masters Endorsement in Biological Sciences and in 2022 she received her Masters of Public Health. Patricia is passionate about health education and believes all students should have the skills to live a healthy life from the inside out. Her passion for health sciences and the ever evolving trends among adolescent health inspired her to develop the Community Health Sciences Curriculum.
Patti Brouhard, Director of Curriculum
