Juice WRLD’s Mom Launches Live Free 999 Website on World Mental Health Day
Written by SOURCE on October 10, 2020
In conjunction with World Mental Health Day, Juice WRLD‘s mom has launched the official website for Live Free 999—a charitable organization founded posthumously in the rapper’s honor.
Carmella Wallace announced the launch in an open letter Saturday, about 10 months after Juice—birth name Jarad Anthony Higgins—died of an accidental drug overdose. Wallace reflected on her relationship with her son, recalling everything from his unyielding passion for music to his struggles with addiction, anxiety, and depression.
“I recognized that what Jarad was dealing with was a disease and I know he truly wanted to be free from the demons that tormented him,” she wrote in a letter shared with Complex. “As a parent, I believed early on and supported Jarad having access to counseling. I encouraged him to always share his feelings.”
Live Free 999’s primary goal is to support programs that help young people successfully address their mental health issues, such as depression and substance dependency. The organization also recently donated musical instruments to Juice’s childhood school in Chicago Heights, Illinois, with the intention of promoting music education.
“His loving spirit which is communicated through his music has touched so many people,” Wallace continued. “I launched Live Free 999 so that perhaps his death could mean something for other mothers whose sons and daughters are dealing with the same kinds of issues that my son struggled with. My message to the parents and children is simple. You do not have to suffer alone. You do not have to be ashamed of your mental health struggles. There is help. There is a way out.”
To learn more about Live Free 99 services, visit its newly launched wesbite. You can also read Wallace’s full letter below
Jarad and I were always close. We liked to play pinball together. We had long conversations about his future and about the world in general. But like any mother and son, we had our issues. Jarad came from a family where academics were the highest priority, so I wanted him to focus on school, but he was always more interested in music. His teachers would often tell me that he was extremely gifted, but that he was always focused on his music. I’d often find him in the studio in the afternoon, pursuing his dream. He was laser-focused. In the end, Jarad won the battle and I agreed to let him take a year off after high school to work on his own music and his vision as Juice WRLD. When his career took off, I left my job in quality management to join his team. Jarad recorded music every day, in every city he found himself in. He amassed literally hundreds and hundreds of songs. The lyrics and melodies all made from his beautiful mind.
Jarad and I often had frank discussions about his struggles with addiction, anxiety and depression. I think he felt comfortable being honest with me because I never judged him. I recognized that what Jarad was dealing with was a disease and I know he truly wanted to be free from the demons that tormented him. As a parent, I believed early on and supported Jarad having access to counseling. I encouraged him to always share his feelings.
I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love following the loss of my son. His loving spirit which is communicated through his music has touched so many people. I launched Live Free 999 so that perhaps his death could mean something for other mothers whose sons and daughters are dealing with the same kinds of issues that my son struggled with.
My message to the parents and children is simple. You do not have to suffer alone. You do not have to be ashamed of your mental health struggles. There is help. There is a way out.
On Mental Health Day 2020, I have launched a new website LiveFree999.org in the hopes that it will be a resource to those that are struggling. If we can help even one Mother and their son or daughter through our work here, Jarad’s death will have meaning and his positive, loving, creative spirit will endure.
Sincerely, Ms. Carmela Wallace
