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CULTURE

Avicii’s Family Will Start a Foundation to Combat Suicide, Mental Illness

“Tim wanted to make a difference—starting a foundation in his name is our way to honor his memory and continue to act in his spirit.”

A year after his death, the family of late electronic music DJ Avicii will launch a charitable foundation in his name to raise money for suicide prevention and organizations combatting mental illness.

The world-renowned Swedish musician, DJ, remixer and record producer took his own life last year at the age of 28, after retiring from touring in 2016 due to mental and physical health problems that plagued him for years.

His family inherited the massive fortune he left behind and is now using it to draw greater attention to the issues that plagued him and millions of others, no doubt.

The Tim Bergling Foundation will officially begin operation on April 20, the one-year anniversary of the Grammy-nominated DJ’s death.

“Tim wanted to make a difference—starting a foundation in his name is our way to honor his memory and continue to act in his spirit,” his family shared in a statement.

The foundation hopes to advocate for other issues as it continues to grow, focusing on environmental causes like conservation, protection of endangered species and fighting climate change.

Avicii was no stranger to philanthropy: in 2011, he started House for Hunger, a charity dedicated to alleviating global hunger. He also supported campaigns against human trafficking and gang violence, reflected in his music as well.

It seems his family had understood the superstar’s struggles throughout his meteoric rise to fame on the success of songs such as “Wake Me Up” and “Levels”.

“When he stopped touring, he wanted to find a balance in life to be happy and be able to do what he loved most—music,” Avicii’s family shared in a statement following his passing.

“He really struggled with thoughts about meaning, life, happiness. He could not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace. Tim was not made for the business machine he found himself in; he was a sensitive guy who loved his fans but shunned the spotlight.”

This was revealed in the 2017 documentary Avicii: True Stories, where the DJ talked about his physical and mental health struggles. The documentary depicted the pressure from his management to continue performing live in spite of his objections.

Last year, there were other high-profile deaths of public figures that were ruled as suicide: fashion icon Kate Spade and chef/television host Anthony Bourdain. Both had also suffered from mental health issues leading up to their deaths.

It’s fitting that Avicii’s surviving family will use his very public platform and legacy for a cause that may help others from all walks of life who suffer the from the very same afflictions no less.

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