Wynonna Judd recalls supporting mother Naomi through mental health struggles
Wynonna Judd used to spend the night at her mother Naomi's home when the country music star called to say she no longer wanted to live.
Wynonna Judd used to spend the night at her mother Naomi's home when the country music star called to say she no longer wanted to live.
The 62-year-old singer recalled trying to comfort Naomi during her struggles with mental illness before her death in April 2022 at the age of 76.
Speaking on the All There Is with Anderson Cooper podcast, Wynonna was asked whether her mother's death by suicide had come as a shock.
She answered: "No."
Wynonna explained that Naomi had spoken about dying to her and her sister Ashley, and had even discussed it with a grandson who works as a deputy.
She tried to reassure her mother that she still had plenty to live for, but often struggled to understand what she was going through.
Recalling the calls she received during particularly difficult periods, Wynonna said: "I'd go over and spend the night with her."
She admitted that she had been aware something was wrong from a young age and had felt responsible for looking after her mother.
Wynonna said money was scarce when she and Ashley were children, leaving her feeling responsible for helping the family.
She later found success alongside Naomi as country duo The Judds, who won five Grammy Awards and recorded hits including 'Mama He's Crazy' and 'Why Not Me'.
Wynonna said she had kept much of her mother's mental health difficulties private.
Following Naomi's death, Wynonna and Ashley issued a statement describing their grief and acknowledging their mother's battle with mental illness.
Wynonna attended The Judds' induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame the following day, an experience she has since described as difficult to comprehend.
She has spent the past four years coming to terms with the loss, and her latest album, 'The Hard Truth', reflects that process.
The record, her first in a decade, includes songs about grief and complicated family relationships, with Wynonna co-writing nine of its 10 tracks.
During her conversation with Cooper, she explained that making music had given her somewhere to put feelings she had struggled to express.
She also spoke about attending a six-day intensive at a centre in Nashville as part of her efforts to work through grief.
Wynonna hopes her openness will encourage those who need support to "reach out and not do it alone".
