About Tina Prima Knaps
Tina Prima Knaps is a writer, retired teacher, and former volleyball coach who coached at many levels, whose life has been driven by personal challenges and a fierce desire to heal others. A graduate of Tulane University and college volleyball player, Tina built her professional life on mentoring, perseverance, and encouraging others—values she now uses in her writing.
Having survived a suicide attempt and ongoing health issues, Tina brings an uncommon sincerity to her work. Her personal experience and empathy drive her mission: to give voice to the pain so many teenagers live with in silence.
Tina’s Message
At the heart of her message is hope. Tina has faith in the ability of conversation, therapy, and community support to shine a light on the darkest corners.
Real voices
Real pain
Real hope
Real voices
Real pain
Real hope
About The Book
Surviving Sixteen is an emotional book that shows several high school teenagers as they battle depression, anxiety, and overwhelming pressure in silence. Told in several voices, the book reveals the reality of adolescence, where things are not always as they appear. This timely, touching novel is here to give readers a view into the hidden pain so many teens endure and hide while urging them to hold on to the hope that even in the darkest moments, healing is possible.
This book gave my teenage daughter the words she didn't know how to use, and I can’t explain how incredibly grateful I am for that! It opened up a conversation between us. I had no clue where to start, though. This book gave me the words, too. Thank you, Tina, for creating something so true and needed.
