Written by Erika Benson, FundaMental Mental Health Advocate
There’s something profoundly human about the way we tell our stories. Some find solace in speaking them aloud; others write them in journals, carving their truth into pages. But there are few ways more raw and powerful than when someone channels their innermost pain into poetry. That’s how I met Ella—through the lens of her words.
Ella came into our lives through her father, a friend of Wyatt’s. From the moment we spoke, we knew there was something special and magnetic about her. She carried herself with a quiet intensity, a depth that felt like it could unravel entire histories if only someone asked the right questions.
Like many young girls, Ella faced battles that weren’t immediately visible. She struggled with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression. It’s an invisible weight that often suffocates before it even makes itself known. And anyone who has walked through those struggles understands how isolating it can be—the feeling of being misunderstood or of not knowing how to even articulate what’s happening inside your own mind. Yet Ella found her way through that labyrinth of emotions by doing something extraordinary. She began to write.
Her poems are not just verses; they are windows into mental health. Every word, carefully chosen, every line a reflection of the intricate dance between pain and growth. The poems are both fragile and powerful, like the soft echo of a distant thunderstorm. She began where most of us begin: at the edge of darkness, struggling to understand herself and the world around her. But as her words unfolded, so did she. What was once a struggle to communicate became an eloquent dance with vulnerability and self-expression.
As I watched Ella recite, I felt like I was witnessing something deeply intimate and profoundly brave. Her writing was never forced. It was always raw, intentional, and introspective, almost as if each poem had been waiting to be born from the moment she took her first breath. She doesn’t shy away from the discomfort, the unease, or the difficult truths. Her honesty is unflinching, like a river carving its way through rock- slow, sure, and relentless.
Through her poetry, Ella has found her voice. And in doing so, she has transformed not only her pain but also her ability to connect. She no longer hides in the shadows of her thoughts. Instead, she stands in the light of her expression. There’s a beauty in her struggle, in her willingness to lay bare her vulnerabilities and her triumphs. In her journey, I have witnessed not just a young girl finding herself, but a poet- someone whose voice will inspire others to find their own.
The poems that Ella shared with us are more than just words on paper; they are milestones of healing. They are a testament to the quiet battles fought in the recesses of the mind and the triumphs of the heart when it learns to speak its truth. Her progression from confusion to clarity, and from pain to peace, is a journey that’s ongoing- a story told not just with words but with actions, resilience, and hope.
I am grateful to have been the one to film this chapter of her life. To watch as she blossomed from a girl caught in the heavy web of mental health struggles to a young woman empowered by the strength of her own words is a privilege I will never take for granted.
Ella’s story is still unfolding, but if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that her poetry will continue to inspire not just those who struggle with their mental health, but anyone who has ever fought to be understood.
Ella’s Poetry
Please note: the following art explores themes around mental health that may be triggering to some viewers. If you are in crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency department for assistance. Additional Resources can be found here.
