'Suicide is a serious issue': Idina Menzel apologizes for saying she wanted to 'slit her own wrists' during interview

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 18:40 EST, 26 January 2017 | Updated: 21:03 EST, 26 January 2017

Idina Menzel has apologized for making a less than thoughtful reference to suicide in a recent interview.

The singer and actress was criticized by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) following comments she made last week.

On Thursday, the 45-year-old Broadway star told People that she regretted her upsetting statement.

Idina Menzel recently said some decidedly less family-friendly things regarding suicide that's gotten her in some hot water with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (seen last week in New York city)

'I recently made a thoughtless comment during an interview and quickly realized how wrong it was,' she told the publication. 

'The National Alliance on Mental Illness was right; it is not an appropriate metaphor. I was wrong and truly apologize. Depression, self-harm, and suicide are serious issues and deserve our utmost concern and sensitivity.'

She continued, 'I want to thank the National Alliance on Mental Illness for pointing this out and welcome any opportunity to raise awareness, or just give love and support to anyone I offended,' before once again offering 'my sincerest regret and apologies.'

The controversy arose on Tuesday during the press tour for her new movie Beaches.

Part of the job: The controversy arose on Tuesday during the press tour for her new movie Beaches (pictured at another press event on January 18th)

During a television interview, the songstress revealed 'you'd think because I'm a singer I listen to a lot of music, which I do, but there's certain music that I think is so devastatingly beautiful that it's too painful to listen to sometimes.'

Then came her questionable comment: 'There's this Meshell Ndegeocello album that I just can't listen to. It's so good. It makes me just want to slit my wrists.'

Idina then faced immediate backlash from NAMI, who released a statement condemning the Enchanted actress.

Wrong kind of attention: Idina then faced immediate backlash from NAMI, who released a statement condemning the Enchanted actress (pictured on Late Night with Seth Myers on January 23rd)

'Self harm and suicide is a very serious situation. Some people may not realize the impact of that type of statement,' said the organization, before explaining 'It shows a lack of education around the pain families and individuals go through and further stigmatizes mental health.'

Interestingly, Tuesday's gaff was not Idina's first brush with joking about self-harm.

According to Sky News, she made a very similar comment back in a New York Times article about an upcoming album release.

'I suppose if Christmas makes you depressed this album might make you want to slit your wrists,' she said at the time. 

While the press tour for Beaches has no doubt been grueling, Idina did find time last Saturday to take part in the Los Angeles Women's March with friends.

Good cause: While the press tour for Beaches has no doubt been grueling, Idina did find time last Saturday to take part in the Los Angeles Women's March with friends

 

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