Suicide. It’s the first thing being mentioned right now as we learn the details of another gone far too soon – taken by the monster that is mental illness. We get it. We fight that darkness knowing full well that it can overtake anyone at any time. And it did. Chester Bennington was an incredibly talented man who inspired millions, including us, and his death is hitting us hard. So while suicide may be the first thing mentioned right now, please don’t let it be the last.
It feels like losing a friend. There is a grief process happening right now. We’ve listened to his music for years, but it’s not fair. A tour was scheduled and we, and countless more, would have been there. We would have yelled and screamed and soaked up every note. More importantly, we would have helped had we known he needed it. And that’s the hardest part. You see someone you looked up to, someone millions looked up to, and you don’t understand. You didn’t see any signs. How could this happen? The truth is that sometimes there are no signs. Sometimes those suffering don’t reach out. Sometimes suicidal thoughts win.
Chester Bennington’s death is hitting my husband hard. Why? Because as a survivor of five suicide attempts, Jeremy knows the battle. He knows the reality of the torture that suicidal thoughts are. And as a huge Linkin Park fan, he feels like he lost a friend to the same disease he fights daily himself.
None of this is fair. It’s just not. The world lost a great artist today, but the fact that he will live on forever in his music is absolutely priceless. And his death will not be in vain. People like us won’t let it. We will continue to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention by telling our story and honoring those whose lives have been lost to this deadly beast. We will continue to shout from a mountaintop that you can learn to live again, not just stay alive, by fighting and accepting help.
So while suicide is one of the first things mentioned, please don’t let it be the last. Please choose life. Choose help. Choose to honor the lives lost by living yourself, spreading goodness, and helping others. Rest in peace, Chester. And thank you for your contributions to the music world.