Mariska Hargitay Opens Up About Personal Traumas

Mariska Hargitay, known for her role on Law & Order: SVU, spoke candidly about the trauma of losing her mother, Jayne Mansfield, in a car crash in 1967 during the Hope for Depression Research Foundation's 18th Annual HOPE Luncheon. Hargitay and her siblings survived the accident, which has left a lasting impact on her life. She discussed growing up in an environment overwhelmed by grief and lacking tools to process trauma, as well as her experience of sexual trauma in her 30s. In response to her experiences, she founded the Joyful Heart Foundation to support trauma survivors and promote healing. At the event in New York, she was honored with the 2024 Hope Award for Depression Advocacy, highlighting her advocacy and personal journey of overcoming trauma.