Girl, 19, Who Scared Pandemic Self-Isolation Dies After Trying To Take Her Own Life

Anxiety and fear have taken over the life of a teenage girl who was still 19 years old. Emily Owen attempted to kill herself and was managed to be brought to the hospital before passing away. The 19-year-old had autism of high-functioning type and has ‘a daily battle to fit in and conform to social norms’.

The family revealed that she experienced anxiety ‘with her world closing in, plans being cancelled and being stuck inside’ during lockdown from Covid-19.

Annabel, Emily’s older sister, wrote an online tribute for her: “Emily was very concerned about coronavirus itself but more concerned about the mental health impact of isolation and the fear of the unknown.”

She later added on her Facebook post, “We are all absolutely devastated but also immensely proud of everything she achieved in her life. So many people have messaged us saying how Emily helped them through hard times of their own, and we had no idea how much positive impact she had on those around her.”

“To many people, Emily was a really fun, energetic, happy girl, but only a few were aware of the many years of internal battles she had. Few people are aware but four years ago she was diagnosed with high-functioning autism and had a daily battle to fit in and conform to social norms.

“She didn’t want anyone to know, but now she has gone we want to make people know that autism comes in all shapes and sizes.”

Below is Annabel Owen, 21, with her sister Emily, 19.

Emily who was based in Kings Lynn, Norfolk said before the tragedy, “More people will die from suicide during this than the virus itself.”

She was particularly concerned on the mental health impact as she was personally experiencing it herself. According to her family, it could be the ‘fear of the unknown may have driven her over the edge’. Emily also signed up for organ donation when she was just 12 and her organs have been set to be donated to four people, three of them are children.

Emily worked as a waitress at Kings Arms pub in Shouldham, Norfolk. Her workplace has also posted a tribute that reads: We are heartbroken that we won’t see her breeze through our doors like a tornado of energy again, or hear her distinctive laugh, she was a big part of our team and we will miss her enormously.

A fundraising has been set up by the family and workplace of Emily. The money will be donated towards Norfolk and Waveney Mind which helps people with mental illness and health to be able to become part of the community. Currently, £3,097 has been raised.