SINGER Issa Pressman broke her silence on her own mental health struggles as she reflected on the death of content creator Emman Atienza, saying online harassment can push even the strongest people to a breaking point.
In an interview with broadcast journalist Karen Davila on her YouTube channel, Issa said Emman’s passing “hurt” her deeply because she saw how the late influencer appeared “bright and brilliant” despite battling intense cyberbullying.
“When I found out about Emman’s case, I was so sad,” she said. “It hurts me to know that bashers took that light away from her, which is not right.”
Issa acknowledged that speaking publicly may “attract more noise” and draw renewed criticism from longtime bashers, but added that sharing her story might “save one more life.”
Asked how Emman’s death resonated with her, Issa recalled reaching a point where the online attacks became overwhelming.
“The bashing is so loud and so intense… once it gets really in your head, it breaks down all your walls,” she said. “When you feel so sad, lonely and dark, hindi mo na kaya labanan.”
She said she “gave up at a certain point” and even attempted to take her own life, a moment she never shared publicly until now. Issa said she survived the attempt and woke up the next day believing “maybe this is not yet my time.”
She credited her boyfriend, actor James Reid, for helping pull her out of that period. “I had no energy to pull myself out, but I have James to pull me out,” she said. “James really, really helped me to get myself back again.”
