Elizabeth Thornton

Jazz Thornton, born March 29, 1995, is a prominent New Zealand figure known for her work in mental health advocacy, authorship, public speaking, and filmmaking. She co-founded the suicide prevention organization Voices of Hope with Genevieve Mora. Thornton has authored three books: 'Stop Surviving, Start Fighting,' an autobiography; 'My Journey Starts Here,' a guided journal for well-being; and 'Letters to You,' offering support and practical advice for difficult times.

Her personal struggles with mental health, including multiple suicide attempts as a teenager, have been central to her public platform. A viral video she created, 'Dear Suicidal Me,' brought widespread attention to her experiences. Her journey was also the subject of the 2020 New Zealand documentary 'The Girl on the Bridge.' Thornton was recognized as Young New Zealander of the Year in 2021 and has engaged with international figures and organizations, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and the United Nations.

Thornton's activism gained significant traction with the 2016 creation of the viral video 'Dear Suicidal Me.' This film, featuring individuals who had attempted suicide, garnered over 80 million views and international media coverage. Her commitment to mental health advocacy led her to co-found Voices of Hope, an organization dedicated to suicide prevention. Thornton's work has been recognized at high levels, including a meeting with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their 2018 visit to New Zealand and an invitation to discuss her work at Buckingham Palace with them in 2020. She also participated in the UN's mental health campaign 'Speak Your Mind' in 2019.

Beyond her advocacy, Thornton is an author of several impactful books. Her autobiography, 'Stop Surviving, Start Fighting,' details her personal experiences. 'My Journey Starts Here' is a guided journal designed to enhance well-being, and 'Letters to You' provides encouragement and practical help for those experiencing low moments. In filmmaking, Thornton produced the documentary 'Jessica's Tree,' which explored the suicide of her friend Jess and won a gold award at a New York film festival. The 2020 documentary 'The Girl on the Bridge' also delved into her personal mental health struggles.

Thornton's life has been marked by significant personal challenges, including numerous suicide attempts during her teenage years and a history of sexual abuse and bullying. She was diagnosed with ADHD in 2020. Despite these adversities, she has achieved considerable recognition, including winning the 2021 Young New Zealander of the Year award. Her efforts have also drawn commendation from Queen Elizabeth II for her work with Voices of Hope. In 2017, she became the youngest person to win the Doc Edge Doco Pitch competition.

“The mental health system is functioning the same way that it has for so many years, which is a way that is silencing, which is a way that is discrediting of what people are going through. There are a lot of decisions being made in our Ministry [of Health] that do silence people. But my question is, what’s the danger in not talking about it?”