A diode and a method for an electrostatic discharge resistant diode. The method includes, for example, receiving a wafer. The wafer includes a silicon layer electrically isolated from a silicon substrate by a buried oxide (BOX) layer. The BOX layer is in physical contact with the silicon layer and the silicon substrate. An N-type well is implanted in the silicon substrate. Furthermore, a vertical column of P+ doped epitaxial silicon and a vertical column of N+ doped epitaxial silicon are formed over the N-type well and extend through the BOX layer and the silicon layer. Both vertical columns may form electrical junctions with the N-type well.