Ashley Judd and Aloe Blacc help the White House unveil its national suicide prevention strategy

Shelby Rowe, center, Executive Director of the Suicide Prevention Research Center, flanked by Ashley Judd, left, and singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc, right, finishes speaking during an event on the White House complex in Washington, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, with notable suicide prevention advocates. The White House held the event on the day they released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to highlight efforts to tackle the mental health crisis and beat the overdose crisis. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Actor Ashley Judd and singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc, who both lost loved ones to suicide, on Tuesday helped the Biden administration promote its new national strategy to prevent suicide.

Ashley Judd, left, listens to Shelby Rowe, right, Executive Director of the Suicide Prevention Research Center, during an event on the White House complex in Washington, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, with notable suicide prevention advocates. The White House held the event on the day they released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to highlight efforts to tackle the mental health crisis and beat the overdose crisis. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Judd’s mother, country star Naomi Judd, died nearly two years ago. Blacc’s frequent collaborator, Tim Bergling, died in 2018.

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff speaks during an event on the White House complex in Washington, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, with notable suicide prevention advocates. The White House held the event on the day they released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to highlight efforts to tackle the mental health crisis and beat the overdose crisis. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Both were on hand as Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, helped unveil the Democratic administration’s blueprint for reducing suicides in the United States. Some 132 people a day kill themselves, he said.

“We’re here today because we know that we can and will change this,” Emhoff said. “Suicide is preventable.”

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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

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Judd’s mother had lived most of her 76 years with an untreated sickness and, on the day she died, “the disease of mental illness was lying to her,” Ashley Judd said during a discussion moderated by Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy with Blacc and Shelby Rowe, executive director of the Suicide Prevention Research Center.

“She deserved better,” Judd said about her mother. Judd said she also has suffered from depression and has had a different outcome because of treatment.

Singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc speaks during an event on the White House complex in Washington, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, with notable suicide prevention advocates. The White House held the event on the day they released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to highlight efforts to tackle the mental health crisis and beat the overdose crisis. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

“I carry a message of hope,” she said.

Asked what people can do to help someone in crisis, Rowe said people shouldn’t worry about “if you’re saying the right thing. Just say something and show up.”

Singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc speaks, right, speaks during an event on the White House complex in Washington, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, with notable suicide prevention advocates. He is joined by, from left, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, Ashley Judd, and Shelby Rowe, Executive Director of the Suicide Prevention Research Center. The White House held the event on the day they released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to highlight efforts to tackle the mental health crisis and beat the overdose crisis. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Blacc suggested that people offer a “moment of joy” when they do reach out, such as a memory that sparks laughter or a song. He also encouraged people to remember that they are “the light.”

Singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc, right, sings during an event on the White House complex in Washington, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, with notable suicide prevention advocates. He is joined by, from left, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, Ashley Judd, and Shelby Rowe, Executive Director of the Suicide Prevention Research Center. The White House held the event on the day they released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to highlight efforts to tackle the mental health crisis and beat the overdose crisis. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

“There’s no such thing as too much love. Let’s give as much as we can,” he said, before he led the audience in singing the chorus from “This Little Light of Mine.”

Ashley Judd, right, sitting with Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, left, speaks during an event on the White House complex in Washington, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, with notable suicide prevention advocates. The White House held the event on the day they released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to highlight efforts to tackle the mental health crisis and beat the overdose crisis. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Ashley Judd heads to her seat before the start of an event on the White House complex in Washington, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, with notable suicide prevention advocates. The White House held the event on the day they released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to highlight efforts to tackle the mental health crisis and beat the overdose crisis. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy speaks during an event on the White House complex in Washington, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, with notable suicide prevention advocates. The White House held the event on the day they released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to highlight efforts to tackle the mental health crisis and beat the overdose crisis. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, left, sitting next to Ashley Judd, right, speaks during an event on the White House complex in Washington, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, with notable suicide prevention advocates. The White House held the event on the day they released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to highlight efforts to tackle the mental health crisis and beat the overdose crisis. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)