Actor Ashley Judd and singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc, who have both experienced the devastating loss of loved ones to suicide, joined the Biden administration in promoting its newly launched national strategy to prevent suicide in the United States. Judd’s mother, renowned country star Naomi Judd, ended her life nearly two years ago, while Blacc lost his frequent collaborator, Tim Bergling, in 2018.
During the unveiling of the administration’s plan, Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, highlighted the sobering statistic that approximately 132 people in the United States take their own lives each day. Emphasizing the importance of recognizing suicide as a preventable tragedy, Emhoff stated, ‘We’re here today because we know that we can and will change this.’
In a discussion moderated by Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, Judd candidly shared her mother’s lifelong struggle with untreated mental illness and the impact it had on her final days. She expressed that her mother deserved better and emphasized the crucial need for recognizing and addressing mental health issues.
Judd also spoke about her own experiences with depression and the positive outcomes she has achieved through treatment. She conveyed a message of hope and encouraged individuals to offer support and assistance to those in need.
Shelby Rowe, executive director of the Suicide Prevention Research Center, advised people not to hesitate in reaching out to individuals in crisis, regardless of whether they have the ‘right’ words. Rowe stressed the importance of simply showing up and being present.
Blacc suggested that people offer moments of joy when reaching out to those in crisis, such as sharing a memory that evokes laughter or playing a song. He emphasized the importance of reminding individuals that they are a source of light and that there is no such thing as too much love.
The Biden administration’s national strategy to prevent suicide aims to reduce the alarming rates of suicide in the United States. The strategy includes a range of initiatives, including expanding access to mental health services, supporting research, and raising awareness about suicide prevention.
