Ashley Judd made an appearance at the White House on Tuesday, where he lent his platform and story to promote the Biden administration’s newly formed National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
Ashley’s mother, singer Naomi Judd, died by suicide at age 76, on April 30, 2022. In commemoration of the upcoming second anniversary of that tragic day, she addressed attendees at Tuesday’s events and recalled her mother’s struggles with mental health and depression.
“I am here because I am my dear mother’s daughter and on the day she died, which will be her two year anniversary in a week’s time, the disease of mental illness was lying to her, and with great terror convinced her that this would happen . it never gets better,” Ashley shared in her emotional speech.
The actress explained that her mother “lived most of her life with an untreated and undiagnosed mental illness who lied to her and stole from her…Stealed from our family and she deserved better.”
Ashley, 56, also revealed her own experiences with childhood trauma and resulting depression – which she sought treatment for and was able to resolve with professional help and care.
“I have been in good recovery for 18 years and had a different outcome than my mother,” Ashley said. “I bring a message of hope and recovery.”
Ashely also shared some photos from Tuesday’s event at the White House while promoting the Biden administration’s new efforts to address the mental health crisis.
Shortly after Naomi’s death, Ashley spoke with Diane Sawyerand revealed that she was the only one who found her mother, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and later had to be the one to break the news to Naomi’s husband, Larry Strickland.
Recalling her mother’s last day, Ashley explained: “It was a mixed day. I visit my mom and drop by every day when I’m home in Tennessee, so I was home visiting like I do every day. , ‘You will stay with me?’ and I said, ‘Of course I will.’… I went up to let her know that her good friend was there and discovered that I was sad and traumatized to discover her.
Although Ashley said at the time that discussing her mother’s death is difficult for her, she wants to help raise awareness about the reality of mental illness.
“When we talk about mental illness, it is very important to be clear and make the distinction between our loved one and the illness,” she said. “It’s very real and mind you, it’s wild.”
Ashley’s sister, Wynonna Judd59, spoke to ET at the April 2023 CMT Music Awardsjust weeks before the first anniversary of Naomi’s death, where she took to the stage to sing “I Want To Know What Love Is” with Ashley McBryde.
“I’m going to use my time to talk to anyone who is struggling,” Wynonna told ET on the carpet before her performance. “It’s an opportunity to help someone.”
“It’s a bittersweet time,” continued Wynonna, who, at the time, was also looking forward to her granddaughter’s first birthday in a matter of weeks. “I have agony and ecstasy happening.”
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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