Erna Solberg on Maud Angelica’s speech: – Incredibly powerful

A clearly touched Prime Minister Erna Solberg (Høyre/Conservative Party) thinks Ari Behn’s funeral was a touching experience and describes Maud Angelica’s speech as incredibly powerful.

“It was lovely, wonderful and not least amazingly powerful to do it so soon after her father took his own life,” said a clearly touched Solberg to NRK outside Oslo Cathedral on Friday afternoon.

“It shows a girl who has gained a lot of love and strength throughout her life,” she continues.

Believes Maud Angelica’s speech reaches more
Solberg herself addressed the suicide issue in her New Year’s speech after Behn chose to end his life on Christmas Day.

“I think maybe she gets through with the message that you have to ask for help, because there are people who love you. I think that’s the most important thing we say to all people.”

“I think it hits the heart of those who are struggling, and too many relatives, the clear and heartfelt message to ask for help,” says the Prime Minister of NTB.

Wants to work on suicide prevention
Solberg also pointed out to Dagbladet that many men who commit suicide have not asked for help.

“Most women who commit suicide have also sought treatment. This means that we have to work on how the aid system can be improved, so that people can live through a difficult situation and the darkness that one has. We will work on that, to prevent suicide.”

She thinks it’s a way to go about suicide prevention, and that not all the answers are there yet.

“But starting with asking for help is incredibly important.”

Touched in the soul
She describes the funeral as a touching and powerful experience.

“I think everyone felt that. It was a powerful goodbye from a family who was incredibly fond of Ari Behn and the rest of us were touched in the soul.”

Maud Angelica Behn’s eulogy is praised by organizations

Both the Mental Health Council and the National Association for Suicide Bereaved (Leve) believe the message in Maud Angelica Behn’s (16) memorial words is important.

General Secretary Terese Grøm of Leve tells NRK that Maud Angelica’s message went far beyond the 16-year-old’s own grief.

“We know that the feeling of being a burden to their surroundings is very strong. She was aware that it wasn’t. It is only the grief, pain and loss of those left behind,” says Grøm.

Secretary General Tove Gundersen of the Mental Health Council told the channel that the Behn family’s openness forms the basis for a new way of talking about suicide in the Norwegian public.

“By giving a face to the bereaved, Maud Angelica has seized the entire nation,” she says.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today