Juice WRLD’s mom is writing an open letter about his mental...

Juice WRLD’s mother, Carmela Wallace, witnessed her son’s struggles with mental illness firsthand. Therefore, she makes sure to help other young people address their mental health problems.

On Saturday (October 10) – World Mental Health Day – Wallace wrote an open letter commemorating her relationship with her late son.

Wallace, who often played WRLD pinball with Juice, said she “wanted him to focus on school,” but he was determined to pursue a career in music. She eventually allowed him to make his dream come true, joining his team and watching him record music every day.

Since they were “always close to each other,” she said she and the late musician – née Jarad Anthony Higgins – also had open conversations about his mental health problems. “I think he felt like being honest with me because I never judged him,” she said. “I realized that Jarad was a disease and I know that he really wanted to be free from the demons that tormented him. As a parent, I believed early on and helped Jarad access counseling. I encouraged him to always share his feelings. “

Juice WRLD died of an accidental drug overdose in December, but Wallace hopes her Live Free 99 Mental Health Fund can turn lemons into soda.

“I started Live Free 999 so that his death might mean something to other mothers whose sons and daughters are dealing with the same problems my son faced,” Wallace wrote. “My message to parents and children is simple. You don’t have to suffer alone. You don’t need to be ashamed of your mental health problems. There is help. There is a way out. “

She continued, “If we can help even a mother and her son or daughter through our work here, Jarad’s death will have meaning and his positive, loving, creative spirit will endure.”