A life changed: Emma's story of healing and growth

In August 2021, Emma wanted to be anywhere but Melanie Buchaklian’s office.

She had just spent a week in the hospital after attempting suicide, and had already gone through years of therapists and medications. She felt as if nothing worked.

On that August day, she sat in Melanie’s office at Ascension All Saints and refused to speak. She yelled, asking when she could leave. The last thing she wanted to do was open up to another therapist.

Fast forward to today, and Emma can’t imagine her life without Melanie.

“Melanie has stuck with me through everything,” she shared. “Melanie helped me feel like therapy was truly for me, and she let me be in control. She let me ask the questions, and listened to me, and gave me advice. She helped me understand that the therapy was really for me, and it was done by me.”

A lifetime of navigating mental health challenges

Emma saw her first therapist when she was just six years old. She described having difficulty controlling her emotions, and compared herself to a volcano.

At 11 years old, she was diagnosed with ADHD and felt like she finally had some answers. Still, though, she was moving between therapists and struggling to find a balance of peace and calm. She felt as if nothing would ever truly help.

“When I met my psychiatrist, Dr. Bergs, he diagnosed me with depression, anxiety and later with bipolar I disorder,” Emma said. “I felt like I had more answers, and it made me feel better because I came to recognize that seeking treatment and being on medication is ok. Having a mental illness is ok, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

In August of 2021, Emma attempted suicide. While in the hospital, Dr. Bergs recommended that she start therapy with Melanie, and that’s when things started to change. 

A life-changing connection

After Emma’s first visit with Melanie, she faced numerous life-altering experiences. She moved to Oshkosh to pursue an undergraduate degree, transferred to UW-Milwaukee, was the victim of sexual assault, experienced a death in the family and had to navigate being a full-time student and working throughout everything.

Every step of the way, Melanie was there for her.

“Melanie has been helpful with everything. Even with something as small as sending a text on beautiful days and reminding me to get out and feel the sunshine,” Emma shared. “She has helped me realize that my mental health doesn’t control me, I control it.”

Today, Emma finds solace in crafting, reading The Bible, Sudoku, watching true crime documentaries and working as a life guard in Racine. She is currently a junior at UW-Milwaukee and hopes to pursue a career in crisis communications.

Emma’s journey is a reminder that the right support, connection and compassion can truly change, and save, a life. If you are in need of behavioral health resources, please click here to learn more.