We exist to ensure that quality resources for suicide bereavement are both available and accessible.

Epic Ella Effect was created after the tragic loss of Gabriella (Ella) Irie Rain Smith.

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Ellla was the beat of her own drum.  She embraced every moment she had to express herself and engaged those around her to join along.  She was a successful, multi-talented musician with a promising future.  She was a role model who loved to see others succeed and create.  She was also one of the many that dealt with depression and self doubt.  So much so that she took her own life. 

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Ella’s suicide left her mother Colleen struggling to find help. The more she searched, the more she realized that the help she needed wasn’t accessible. The number of mental health providers and resources capable of dealing with suicide bereavement were extremely sparse.  Colleens struggle, her frustration and anger, fueled her passion to change our communal response to suicide bereavement, motivating the people around her to help search for an answer.

   

We are the Epic Ella Effect.

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Suicide Bereavement needs to become a key focus in our fight to prevent suicide. 

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Those who have lost someone to suicide, whether they were a family member, a friend, role model in their community etc., are not only at a greater risk of suicide themselves, but they also become some of the strongest voices for prevention.  A community that embraces healing promotes life.

• Advocate for the survivors of suicide loss.

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• Ensure that our community has the tools necessary to respond to a suicide,

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• Continued support for suicide awareness, education and prevention.

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• Continued efforts to reduce the      stigma surrounding suicide.​