Chester Bennington Death by Suicide at Young Age of 41

Chester Bennington Commits Suicide Leaving Friends, Family, and Fans Distraught

Chester Copperpot, that’s what I called him when I first had a chance to meet him! My younger sister was absolutely enamored with Chester and Linkin Park and so of course we ended up at the Family Values Tour in 2002. Talk about a needle in a hay stack, we just happened to be sitting outside, at the right place, and at the right time, and my sister was like Oh my God, it’s Chester! He was with his wife at the time, Samantha, and I asked my sister what her name was. So I yelled out her way, “Samantha”, “Samantha”, and she came over and talked to us, quite disbelief, and she said would tell Chester to come out and meet us! Can you imagine, no VIP, no contest won, but just us two getting to meet him! He was soft spoken and so friendly. So, why I am sharing this story with you all, because we were lucky to meet such a talented and amazing artist!  Chester was such a special guy and loved by so many people! It was one of those memories and it made my sisters year!

Why Did Chester Kill Himself? Suicide and Depression

My heart breaks with confusion as to why so many turn to suicide. The Chester Bennington Suicide is a heartbreaking reminder of how real and serious the problem of depression is for many individuals. We all experience depression from time to time, some of us deeper than others, and sometimes longer than others. For most who have experienced depression, we can all agree that it can make a person feel like the world is literally suffocating them with mental pain and that there is no way out. I can sit here and share with you all that I know, I’ve been there, and all I wanted was someone to talk to you who would understand and help me find a path to salvation.

If You or Someone You Know Is Struggling, Help is Available

Have you ever called to find a therapist and found that there was a waiting list for weeks to a month out to get help. It is common problem, but let me tell you, there are other avenues in the interim that will be there for you immediately. If you are making the big step to ask for help, we want to make sure that you can talk to someone and start creating a plan now. From my professional and personal experience, I have a set of recommendations for steps to take, so that if you ever find yourself with so much grief and loneliness, you never have to be alone.

Steps to Take to Get Help!

Step 1.  If possible, talk to a family member or a friend that you can open up to, and be honest about where you are with your depression. Again, I repeat, it is OK to let people know that you need help. Asking for help is BRAVE and BRILLIANT! Don’t ever forget that, just know, you’re not alone.

Step 2.  If you do not have someone you can confide in with friends or family, you can call to speak to some amazing people on these helplines below. They are here to support you and to be your strength when you cannot be for yourself. Many have been there themselves, so they are people who understand.

National Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-273-8255

The Treatment Specialist (This is my team, we are here for you): 866-644-7911

Local Resources Throughout the U.S.: Dial 211

PsychologyToday.com: Locate a Therapist near you

And don’t hesitate to reach out to all these resources, the more the better!

Step 3.  Understand that brain is a powerful and resilient organ and with support and a recovery plan, the chemicals that have gone awry causing the depression can be repaired, and will heal. Depression is the brains cry that the chemicals in the brain our completely imbalanced from stress, trauma, grief and loss, and sometimes depression happens for no reason at all.  However, there is always an answer, there is always someone who can help steer you to the healing path. During depression, we must remind ourselves that the thoughts that we are having are not our healthy thoughts and that we need to tell them to seriously “BACK THE YOU KNOW WHAT OFF!” The biggest rule is to not to feed those negative thoughts, you must fight back, and say “No!” and keep pushing through to get to those steps! During the healing process, it is important to allow yourself to continue to ask for help and support, and just know that, many of us have been there, and we are here to help you.

Chester Bennington (March 20, 1976 – July 20, 2017)

You have touched and changed so many lives with your entire being in such a positive way. You are at peace now and I can only say on behalf of myself and I am sure most, you are Chester Bennington, and you are an amazing soul! We will always remember you, sing along to your music, and cherish the memories of your shows.