Something tragic happened today. The great Chester Bennington took his own life. Suicide is a very close personal matter to me. Having seen those close to me struggle with thoughts like this has taught me how serious mental illness is. It’s chronic, and it’s not easy to remotely ask for help. With other illness you can describe your symptoms and what is not right, but when a primary symptom of the illness is actually wanting you to hide these destructive thoughts then it becomes the hardest thing to treat. All I can say to anyone feeling this way is that you’re not alone, and to anyone seeing someone struggle please reach out to them. We are sadly in a world where we can be so close to one another in communication, but so distant in the truest feelings.

As for Chester, he is survived by his wife and six children. He didn’t live his life in vain, from every person that he and Linkin Park have touched. From the earthquake victims in Haiti, to the plenty of kids like me that wouldn’t appreciate music the way I do without him. There’s a reason behind their success, and I think the people they are is equally as important to their music. There’s something sadistic and ironic about your death falling on the same day as your best friend Chris Cornell in the same way, but maybe that’s part of mental illness, the craziest coincidences turn out to be caused by that of an irrational mind. But to the wonderful man who my first vision of involves you taking your shirt off and jumping into a crowd of people, thank you and rest in piece.

I’d like to urge anyone reading this to donate to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or any other charity helping those in need. I truly believe we as a society can help reduce the suffering of mental illness and only by discussion and learning to recognize it can we begin this process. I’ll leave you with my first favorite song.