Ashley Judd is opening up about her mother Naomi Judd’s passing, and the challenges she faced with mental illness in efforts to spread awareness towards mental health treatment.
Speaking at the White House during a panel discussion on the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and Federal Action Plan Launch on April 23, Ashley Judd shared the heart-wrenching story of her mother’s struggles with mental health.
She emphasized that her mother endured years of untreated and undiagnosed mental illness, a silent thief that robbed her of hope and clarity.
“I’m here because I am my beloved mother’s daughter, and on the day she died, which will be the two-year anniversary in one week, the disease of mental illness was lying to her and, with great terror, convinced her that it would never get better,” Ashley said.
Ashley also disclosed that despite Naomi’s remarkable achievements, she carried the burden of being a “survivor of childhood and adult male sexual violence.”
“She also lived most of her life with an untreated and undiagnosed mental illness that lied to her and stole from her, and it stole from our family, and she deserved better,” Ashley added.
During the panel, Ashley also opened up about her own struggles with “childhood depression” and unresolved trauma, emphasizing the importance of seeking help.
“I had a different experience because I went to treatment in 2006 for unresolved childhood grief and sexual trauma, and I’ve been in good recovery for 18 years.”
“I’ve had a different outcome than my mother, and I carry a message of hope and recovery,” she said.
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Ashley Judd has been very candid about her grief following the loss of her mother. Earlier this year, she shared her emotional journey on an episode of “All There Is with Anderson Cooper.” In this interview, she discussed the impact her mother’s passing has had on her life and how she continues to navigate through the complexities of grief. By openly discussing her experiences, Ashley contributes to the ongoing conversation surrounding loss, healing, and the importance of mental health awareness.
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As the anniversary of her mom’s passing approaches, Ashley is determined to raise awareness and support for mental health programs. She believes that with better resources, others won’t suffer like her mom did.
Watch Ashley Judd speak about her mother’s mental health battle during the panel for the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and Federal Action Plan Launch below.