An Eulogy for Chester Bennington

Linkin Park's music was such a significant part of my growing up years, and expressed so much emotion that I could not as a teenager. 

Reading about Chester's death left me shocked, but it is also a reminder how how common it is to have mental illness, and how much mental illness doesn't discriminate. It affects people across all spectrums; from young to old, across all economic states, from so many different backgrounds. 

Help is available, so don't hesitate to reach out. 

Don't isolate yourself, and find the ones in your life who will be there for you at your lowest points. 

We are all part of a community, and the first step to help is the awareness that mental illness is more common than you think, and don't be afraid to reach out to someone. 

"If you’re reading this, it means you’re still here. If you’re breathing, the air in your lungs declares that you’re alive. We can’t know how long we have here, but it seems we have today.

Please know you’re not the only one who hurts. You’re not the only one with questions and sadness and pain. If life feels nearly impossible, please know you’re not alone. Please know that it’s okay to be honest. You don’t have to fake it. You don’t have to play it cool. If you need help, please know you’re worth whatever help you need. If you need to talk to a counselor, if you need to call or text a hotline, if you need to step into treatment, it’s perfectly okay. You deserve whatever help you need.

Please stay alive, for every future joy. For the next album you’re going to love, for the best concert you haven’t been to yet, for your wedding or your husband or your wife, for the kids you have or dream of having. Please stay alive to be surprised, by love and hope and help.

If someone you care about is struggling, please reach out. Please break the silence. Please cross the distance. Remind them they are loved. Remind them they deserve better. Encourage them to get help." - Written by Jamie Tworkowksi for Chester Bennington, original article here.