Ashley Judd and Aloe Blacc Visit DC to Talk About Suicide Prevention – Los Angeles Times

Ashley Judd and Aloe Blacc visited the White House on Tuesday to promote the Biden Administration’s newly formed National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and federal action plan, speaking candidly about the death of Judd’s mother, country music star Naomi Judd, and co-worker frequent Blacc, Avicii.

“I’ve learned in recovery that I can pretend to care, but I can’t pretend to show up,” Ashley Judd said on a panel discussion alongside Vivek Murthy, US surgeon general, and Shelby Rowe, executive director of Suicide . Prevention Research Center.

“I am here because I am the daughter of my beloved mother and on the day she died, which will be two years in a week, the disease of mental illness lied to her and with great horror convinced her that you will not get better, ” Judd continued.

The actor and lawyer said that he firmly believes that “we deserve to be remembered not only for the way we died, but also for the way we lived”. She talked about her mother’s early days growing up in the Appalachian region of eastern Kentucky and how Naomi Judd liked to “hold the audience’s attention” and asserted that her mother “left country music better than she found it “.

The 76-year-old country star died in April 2022, one day before mother-daughter duo the Judds, consisting of Naomi and eldest daughter Wynnona, were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The family initially said they lost him “to the disease of mental illness”. Then, a few weeks later, Ashley Judd confirmed during an interview with “Good Morning America” ​​that her mother had used a gun to end her life.

On Tuesday, the “Divergent Series” alum noted again that Naomi Judd was “a survivor of male sexual abuse as a child and adult” and became a nurse who sometimes relied on public assistance. She said her mother was battling “an unprecedented disease” for most of her life and, “untreated and undiagnosed,” it “stole from her and stole from our family, and she deserved better.” .

The 56-year-old also spoke about her mental health struggles and successes. She experienced childhood depression after being bullied at age 7, she said, and because of that she knew well the feeling of “not wanting to be here.” However, she began treatment in 2006 for unresolved childhood grief and sexual trauma.

“I’ve been in good recovery for 18 years, and I had a different ending than my mom,” said the All That’s Bittersweet memoirist. “I have a message of hope and recovery.”

Singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc speaks Tuesday during a White House event on suicide prevention.

(Susan Walsh/Associated Press)

Judd said she leaned on her “chosen family” to process her mother’s death, as Aloe Blacc did with his after Avicii’s suicide.

The ‘I Need a Doll’ and ‘The Man’ hitmaker has spoken about how he processed the death of the Swedish DJ, real name Tim Bergling, who died in 2018.

“The outpouring of love that came from our fan community was really helpful, helping me get through his death,” Blacc said. “Family and friends within our circle were also very, very helpful and supportive. Not everyone has that kind of support, and so I certainly have a unique experience.”

Blacc encouraged people to “offer a moment of joy” when they reach out and share a positive memory that will bring joy to the person. He also elaborated on his fellow panelists’ remarks about how people can “show up” for someone who is having suicidal thoughts, explaining that he and his friends have since created “a system of checks from everyone in this support constellation.” to help loved ones in need.

“Don’t worry if you’re saying the wrong thing. I think what it comes down to is reaching out and making that connection, and I don’t think there’s such a thing as too much love. We give as much as we can”, he said.

Moderated Tuesday’s panel and advocated for the administration’s federal action plan was Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris. Emhoff said the plan aims to reduce the roughly 132 suicides per day in the country.

“We are here today because we know we can and will change this,” he said. “Suicide is preventable.”