"We are all in this life together"

Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale has spoken out to pay tribute to Huntress‘ Jill Janus, as well as calling for a more open dialogue around mental health in the wake of her taking her own life.

This week, Janus’ band and family confirmed that she had died at the age of 43. The frontwoman of the metal group had long struggled with mental illness and killed herself earlier this week near Portland, Oregon, a statement released through her publicist confirmed.

Speaking out for her friend, Hale took to Instagram for a heartfelt post.

“I’d like to take a moment to state again how important it is to talk about mental health, and remind all of you out there battling demons that you are not alone,” she wrote. “I have to navigate my own dark labyrinth and I turn to music and writing for my lifeline. I want to encourage you to keep searching for your lifeline, something that makes you happy. It doesn’t matter if no one gets it but you… that’s okay!

“We need to stop trying to live up to expectations that society places in front of us to make us feel unworthy of love, beauty and success. We need to stop comparing ourselves to others. We need to stop trying to be ‘normal.’ And we need to stop being quiet about our mental well-being.

She continued: “Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re broken. And if you don’t know how to ask for help, that’s okay too. Those of us who have a shoulder will let you lean on it! We are all in this life together. For those of you with the ability to lend a hand or and ear, DO IT! We have a responsibility to help each other, ‘cuz everything we say, do and touch affects the whole race. We are all connected.”

Hale added: “And I’d also like to address how careful We need to be with prescription medications that doctors and people that we trust give us to try to fix us. Some side effects of these meds rewire your brain, to where even if you wouldn’t normally have suicidal thoughts, your brain actually starts thinking that it is logical… all due to meds. Please be careful, my loves!

“To Jill, my sister of scream, I hope wherever you are, you have found the peace that you couldn’t here.

“My deepest sympathies go out to Jill’s family and her band HUNTRESS during this time.”

Paying tribute, a statement from Janus’ family described her as “a truly special creative involved with numerous musical projects including her role as vocalist for female metal/hard rock cover bands TheStarbreakers and Chelsea Girls.

“In addition, Janus was co-composer and creator of an upcoming rock opera with Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Angus Clark and had a decade-long career as NYC DJ Penelope Tuesdae. Her musical career began in childhood.”

Huntress bandmate and boyfriend Blake Meahl explained that he and Janus “spent 9 years together creating a home, having a family and building our passion project Huntress”.

“The devastation of knowing I will never see her again is the most gutting emotion I have ever experienced.”

He added: “I hope you have found the peace that you couldn’t find on this planet”.

Janus had fronted Huntress from the group’s start in Los Angeles in 2009 and sang on three full-length albums. She also toured with metal icons including Motorhead and Lamb of God during her time with the group.