Nevada Department of Education Employee Emma White named one Of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year
March 8, 2024
Carson City, Nev. - The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) is thrilled to recognize that Emma White, Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator of the Office for a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment has been named the 2024 USA Today’s Women of the Year for Nevada.
Emma is an accomplished advocate and mental health expert whose passionate voice and own experience has gained her national acclaim. She has many roles in the suicide prevention and mental health arena, including being an author, professional speaker, podcast host, and is the Founder and President of the Life Is Worth It Organization.
“Emma’s passion and dedication to helping others has earned her national recognition and is well-deserved,” said Jhone Ebert, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Emma continues to do incredible work in suicide prevention and mental health in our schools and in the community.”
In her role as a Statewide Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator, she serves as a liaison between education and suicide prevention programs to promote the integration of behavioral health policies supporting children across systems. Emma is also the Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency Education) Manager and Safe Messaging Specialist for the Office of Suicide Prevention since 2022, where she specializes in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies at the local, state, and federal levels.
“It is an honor to work alongside Emma White who brings her why to work every day; her focus on student wellbeing inspires the entire team,” said Christy McGill, Deputy Superintendent for Educator Effectiveness and Family Engagement.
“I’m incredibly grateful for this award and the ability to work in multiple spaces to help prevent youth suicide and advance wellness for Nevada students not only with my nonprofit organization, Life Is Worth It, but with the Nevada Department of Education and the Office of Suicide Prevention,” said Emma White. “This work and the award are not possible without support and advocacy from partners across the state and I’m forever thankful for the opportunities to work with such amazing people and departments.”
The Life is Worth It Organization was founded in 2020 by Emma to educate youth and their communities on total life wellness to help prevent suicide. The organization provides this education through programs, workshops, and a first-of-its-kind high school curriculum called the Community Health Sciences Curriculum, which educates youth aged 14 to 18 on each dimension of wellness to not only help prevent suicide but provide youth with life skills to navigate life’s challenges. The organization is actively working on implementing a first-of-its-kind high school health curriculum in the state of Nevada and across the United States.
Emma White was born in Las Vegas, Nevada and grew up in Reno, Nevada. Emma graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 2018. Emma began her career in healthcare, where she learned her love for the community and helping others. Among many accomplishments, Emma is honored as the 2022 Winner of the Young Professional's Network 20 Under 40 Award, and Jersey Mike's Sub Abover 2021 Award. Among her many accolades, Emma is the Author of It’s Not OK, but It Will Be- How I Survived Suicidal Depression and You Can, too, her debut autobiography and self-help book.
USA TODAY’s Women of the Year recognizes women who have made a significant impact in their communities. The program launched in 2022 as a continuation of Women of the Century. There were 60 women from across the country were chosen for using their voice for change and equality. Meet this year’s honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com.
Attachments:
About the Nevada Department of Education
The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) leads and collaborates with Nevada’s 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority to advance educational equity Statewide. With offices in Carson City and Las Vegas, NDE oversees all pre-K-12 education in the State, working to achieve its mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence. Under the leadership of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, NDE impacts the achievement of nearly half a million children and 30,000 educators. Learn more about NDE and join us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Instagram.