Teresa Giudice breaks the silence on the breakdown at Milania airport, a “psychological trauma”

Teresa Giudice has released her first statement about the “psychological trauma” her daughter Milania Giudice is going through nearly a week after their airport run-in.

“The last few months have been incredibly difficult for our family, and I think it’s important to say something while also protecting my daughter during an extremely vulnerable time in her life,” the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star wrote via Instagram Stories on Monday.

“Milania experienced immense grief and psychological trauma after losing two of her best friends,” she continued.

The 20-year-old’s best friend, Victoria Zardoya, died in July after a fatal fall. Two months later, her great-grandmother died before her 99th birthday.

“Grief affects everyone differently, and watching your child try to deal with that kind of loss is something no parent can really prepare for,” Bravolebrity added.

She noted that her “sole goal is to make sure (Milania) is surrounded by love, family, support and the care she needs” during “an incredibly difficult and deeply personal time.”

The reality star told her followers that the University of Tampa student “deserves the opportunity to heal without every moment of her pain analyzed publicly,” asking for “compassion and kindness.”

Teresa – who is also mother to daughters Gia, 25, Gabriella, 21, and Audriana, 17 – concluded: “Give Milania and our entire family the privacy and space we need while we navigate together. Thank you.”

Her ex-husband, Joe Giudice, also told Page Six in an exclusive statement last week that Milania is “young and going through a very difficult time.”

The 54-year-old said: “Losing someone you love is incredibly painful, and grief has no end date,” he said of the “huge” effect Zardoya’s death had on Milania. “She tried to deal with this loss while dealing with the pressures that come with growing up in the public eye.”

He added that recent headlines “don’t define who Milania is as a person,” telling us, “Milania is a good girl. She has a big heart, she loves deeply and she cares deeply about the people in her life.”

Milania’s rep, meanwhile, exclusively told Page Six on Thursday that she is “under the care of professionals.”

The statement read in part: “Milania is deeply loved by her family and friends, and we are all doing everything we can to support her as she goes through an incredibly difficult time in her life. … In time, she hopes that being open about her experiences can help other young people facing their own struggles.”

Milania has had a tumultuous year, starting with her arrest for domestic violence in May and her subsequent enrollment in anger management classes. His next hearing will take place on September 29.

She sparked concern on September 23 when she posted and deleted a video attacking Teresa and Gia while they were at Tampa International Airport, surrounded by cops.

The moment was captured in body camera footage obtained by Page Six on September 28, which also showed Teresa telling Milania that she “wanted to save (her) life” and letting authorities know that her daughter “had fentanyl in her system.”

Milania responded that she “was stuck” – and then asked her mother if she would put her “back in the psychiatric ward.”

The student, according to an incident report, had recently been released from a hospital when she disappeared at the airport, fleeing from Teresa, Gia and a counselor.

The report said Milania, who was suffering from a “mental breakdown” and “suicidal thoughts,” was found about 45 minutes later and boarded her flight with her family.

Although Gia has yet to speak out about the incident, she responded to a TikTok comment about the “job” of an older brother taking on the role of “calm peacemaker.”

If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).