Ashley Judd and Aloe Blacc Visit DC to Talk Suicide Prevention

Ashley Judd and Aloe Blacc visited the White House on Tuesday to promote the Biden Administration's newly formed National Suicide Prevention Strategy and federal action plan, speaking candidly about the deaths of Judd's mother, star country musician Naomi Judd, and Blacc's frequent collaborator Avicii.

“I learned in recovery that I can pretend to care, but I can't pretend to be present,” Ashley Judd said in a panel discussion alongside Vivek Murthy, US surgeon general, and Shelby Rowe, CEO of Suicide. Prevention Research Center.

“I am here because I am the daughter of my beloved mother and on the day of her death, which in a week will be her second anniversary, the disease of mental illness was lying to her and with great terror convinced her that it would never do it. improve,” Judd continued.

The actress and advocate said she firmly believes that “we deserve to be remembered not only for how we died but for how we lived.” She talked about her mother's early days growing up in the Appalachian region of eastern Kentucky and how Naomi Judd loved to “keep the public's attention” and stated that her mother “left country music better than she left it.” found”.

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

On Tuesday, the “Divergent Series” alum again noted that Naomi Judd was a “survivor of childhood and adult male sexual violence” and became a nurse who sometimes relied on public assistance. She said her mother was battling “an invisible illness” for most of her life and, “untreated and undiagnosed,” “robbed her and our family, and she deserved better.”

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

“I have been in good recovery for 18 years and have had a different outcome than my mother,” said the author of the memoir “Everything Bitter and Sweet.” “I carry a message of hope and recovery.”

Singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc speaks Tuesday during an event at the White House about suicide prevention.

(Susan Walsh/Associated Press)

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

The “I Need a Doll” and “The Man” hitmaker opened up 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 and helped me get over his passing,” Blacc said. “Family and friends in our circle were also very helpful and supportive. “Not everyone has that kind of support, and of course I have a unique experience.”

Blacc encouraged people to “offer a moment of joy” when they reach out and to share a positive memory that will bring joy to the person. He also addressed comments from his fellow panelists about how people can “come forward” to someone who is suicidal, explaining that he and his friends have since created “a system of monitoring everyone within this constellation of support” to Help loved ones in need.

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

Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, oversaw Tuesday's panel and advocated for the administration's federal action plan. Emhoff said the plan aims to reduce the approximately 132 suicides a day in the country.

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