Over a year after the tragic suicide of her mother, Naomi, Ashley Judd is still struggling with her emotional pain, and close friends are encouraging the "Double Jeopardy" star to seek inpatient therapy, sources tell GLOBE.
The heartbroken actress, who has previously battled depression, is reportedly haunted by discovering her fatally injured mother, the 76-year-old "Have Mercy" singer, and witnessing her final moments.
On her 55th birthday on April 19, Ashley shared a poignant post on Instagram, stating, “On my last birthday, Mom was a scant 11 days away from her death by crushing suicide.”
Before Naomi, who suffered from bipolar disorder, took her own life, Ashley found her at her Tennessee home shouting, “Kill me now! I don’t want to live!” Despite the efforts of Ashley and a therapist to calm the "Born to Be Blue" singer, she later committed suicide.
While Wynonna, 58, Naomi's other daughter, coped with the loss through a concert tour, Ashley is said to be still mired in grief. A source reveals, "Touring the country singing The Judds songs she and Naomi made famous was Wynonna’s therapy. But Ashley doesn’t have that kind of coping mechanism. She hasn’t taken any acting jobs since Naomi’s death — even though friends tell her work would be good for her.”
In 2006, Ashley overcame a period of severe depression during a 47-day stay at a Texas clinic. A confidant says friends are now urging her to consider another round of treatment: “Getting away from the world to process her feelings could do her a world of good. You never get over something like this — but it’s been a year and Ashley still is hurting so badly.”
The loss of a loved one to suicide is a complex and challenging experience, with emotional repercussions that can last for years. For Ashley Judd, the tragedy has been especially difficult, as she has had to cope with not only the loss of her mother but also her own history of depression.
Inpatient therapy may provide a structured environment that allows her to focus on her mental health and healing. Such facilities often offer a variety of evidence-based therapies and support systems to help individuals cope with grief and develop healthier emotional responses.
Friends and family members of Ashley hope that she will take their advice and seek the professional help she needs to work through her grief and find a sense of peace. By doing so, they believe she can eventually return to her successful acting career and continue to honor her mother's memory in a healthy and constructive way.