My Challenge to Anyone Hurting After Chester Bennington's Suicide

When the news broke Thursday that the lead singer of Linkin Park, Chester Bennington, died by suicide, it hit me like a sucker punch to the gut. I couldn’t believe it.

Tears in my eyes, I started writing.

I really didn’t know what I could write because at times like this I’m not sure what to say. I don’t have any wisdom to give or platitudes to bestow. And I don’t have an appropriate, uplifting quote from a celebrity or religious figure to post.

I’m at a loss for words.

There is nothing that can be said on a days like this that will make the pain of the friends, family and fans of Chester Bennington go away.

In times like this, friends, family and fans of the departed endlessly search for answers.

Why would he do such a thing? How could he do such a thing?

He seemed to have it all, why couldn’t he just be happy?

Maybe these questions will be answered in time. Maybe they won’t.

Maybe it is best that these questions remain unanswered.

But in the end, we must learn to listen to each other more.

Suicide is not a fucking joke.

Every 12.8 minutes someone in the United States dies from suicide. Men are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, with highest suicide rate among adults between 45 and 64 years of age. Chester was 41.

 

We can no longer recoil in horror when someone says they are suicidal and ignore pleas for help. We can no longer force our heads into the sand like an ostrich and pretend that suicide does not exist or suicide is not our problem.

Instead of just playing the music library all day to remember the departed, I challenge all of you to become more active in suicide prevention. At the end of the day, we are here on Planet Earth to help one another. And by being more proactive to spread suicide awareness, we can save more lives and Chester’s death will not be in vain.

I hope that Chester’s friends and family will come to a place of healing throughout the months and years to come.

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page.

If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “HOME” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.

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Lead photo via Linkin Park’s Facebook