Following the death of Huntress frontwoman Jill Janus, Lzzy Hale is leading the charge for mental health awareness.
On August 16th, news broke that Jill Janus had committed suicide. Janus’ mental health battles became public in 2015, when she suddenly ended Huntress. The vocalist revealed her struggles with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder. Huntress didn’t end up splitting, remaining active until Janus’ passing.
Lzzy Hale asked her followers to share photos of themselves raising the horns if they’d ever struggled with mental health issues, aiming to help break the stigma which causes so many to suffer in silence.
“Hey Freaks, I’d like to do something,” Lzzy Hale posted. “I want everyone who has ever struggled with mental health to #RaiseYourHorns take a pic, tag and share it. The more of us that put it out there, the less alone we will all feel & we will be one step closer to breaking the mental health stigma!”
Hey Freaks, I’d like to do something.I want everyone who has ever struggled with mental health to #RaiseYourHorns take a pic, tag and share it. The more of us that put it out there,the less alone we will all feel & we will be one step closer to breaking the mental health stigma! pic.twitter.com/lAFwxf128y
— Lzzy Hale (@LZZYHALE) August 16, 2018
Hale’s Twitter post has nearly 500 direct responses, with many more using the #RaiseYourHorns hashtag over Twitter and Instagram to share their photos and stories of fighting for their mental health.
#RaiseYourHorns mental health is so, so important – you are strong, beautiful, and you are not alone❣ pic.twitter.com/FjXzXMALfP
— meg;🍓 (@megamoomin) August 16, 2018
I don’t often do selfies but when there’s a campaign to end stigma around mental health coming out of the rock scene called #RaiseYourHorns aiming to help folk stand united & create an open dialogue by bringing it out in the open… OK. I’ll switch to front camera for a change pic.twitter.com/4rWOt4NYOs
— SteveForTheDeaf (@SteveForTheDeaf) August 18, 2018
#RaiseYourHorns fighting against mental illness is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I have ptsd, depression and a TBI. Today I dropped to the ground from a panic attack, this is real it happens and you are not alone. pic.twitter.com/ajmEA6YcT3
— Scarlett Brescia (@ScarlettBrescia) August 17, 2018
David Draiman @Disturbed asked me to share:
“Hello my friend.Bravo to you on the mental Heath awareness campaign.I don’t do the Twitter thing..but feel free to post this Definitely want to show my support.Too many succumbing to the demon these days.Much respect. #RaiseYourHorns pic.twitter.com/ncjElfvNso— Lzzy Hale (@LZZYHALE) August 18, 2018
RIP Jill Janus. Another bright light gone way too soon. Mental illness and depression are real and nothing to be ashamed of. If you are struggling please get help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Life Line 1-800-273-8255 pic.twitter.com/U9kYDwNeCX
— Uncle Crazy (@unclerayscrazy) August 17, 2018
Cover photo by Gary Pahlow
