Juice WRLD’s legacy lives on and so does his mother’s push for mental health awareness. On Friday (May 14), Carmela Wallace, Juice’s mom, announced that her late son’s Live Free 999 fund is partnering with the Crisis Text Line to provide free mental health counseling. The partnership was announced in light of Mental Health Awareness Month, which is observed every May.
“There’s not a day that I don’t think of Jarad,” Wallace said, per Complex. “Many of my memories of him are happy ones and they make me laugh, but some days are very sad. During Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to encourage people to focus on their mental health and to warn them of the dangers of self-medicating and for them to seek support if they need it.”
“I want young people to take this time to do a mental health self-check, to be honest with themselves and reach out to Crisis Text Line if they need someone to talk to,” she continued. “That’s why we’ve formed this alliance, to provide a starting point for young people to get the help they need.”
Wallace launched the Live Free 999 fund in honor of Juice WRLD last year. The nonprofit provides access to education, prevention and treatment resources for people who are suffering from drug addiction.
In an Instagram video shared earlier this week, Wallace encouraged Juice’s fans to “recognize the fact that if you’re not okay, it’s okay.”
“It’s ok not to be ok. And the theme this year is: you’re not alone,” she added.
In support of Mental Health Awareness Month, Live Free 999 also launched an art contest to share Juice WRLD fan art “that addresses combatting depression, anxiety and substance dependency,” an Instagram post read. Five contestants will win a special Juice WRLD/ Live Free 999 gift box and the grand prize winner will have their artwork featured on a future merchandise collaboration.
For free, confidential counseling and 24/7 mental health support, text LF999 to 741741. See Wallace’s video below.