Mental Health Heroes - Chester Bennington

This was going to be the second in our mental health awareness blogs, but it will be the first instead. Here at Wandering Through the Ages we are very keen on mental health, seeing as all three of us has suffered, or still do. I wanted to start these blogs to make more awareness and to show that none of us are alone. Seeing as this year marks the 4th anniversary of his passing, I'll be looking at Chester Bennington and the struggles that he had, which led him to make the music that he did. We will try to do these on the odd occasion, to break up the history and to help spread awareness.

I can remember the 20th July 2017 as though it was yesterday. It was the evening, the day had gone by as per the norm with no issues. For some reason I looked at my phone and checked through Facebook, this was when I saw the news that Chester had passed away. I couldn't believe it so I looked on a few more sites and came to the conclusion that it was true. My world just stopped, I didn't know what to do or what to say ans just sat there staring at my phone, that was full of tributes while I tried not to cry. It took me days to come to the terms that Chester had gone yet I still couldn't believe what had happened. To this day I still can't believe it and whenever I hear his voice I still feel as though he is still with us. 

After Chester's death I realised that I to needed some help as I was falling down a spiral that was getting worse and worse. For me Chester passing is both good and bad, its sad that we lest him and that he could not longer fight his demons, but at the same time it made me notice that I had issues and needed help. I will admit that I was never a big fan of the band Linkin Park, but since his passing I have been listening a lot more especially when I know that Chester used his music to get his struggles across.

 Chester was born March 20th 1978, through out his childhood he had a passion for music and would soon start his own band. He hit is big time when he became the lead singer for the band Linkin Park, they sold 100 million records worldwide which has made them one of the best selling bands of the 21st century. Chester also gave his vocals for the bands Dead by Sunrise and the Stone Temple Pilots from 2013. Most of the songs that Chester wrote about told about his struggles and everything that he was feeling or going through, some popular ones are "Numb", "Crawling", "Leave out all the rest" or "One More Light". 

From a young age Chester admitted that he had an issue with drug abuse and alcohol addiction. When he was 11 he started using cocaine along with smoking marijuana and using meth. He put it all down to a way of coping with some sexual abuse that he was receiving from a friend. The abuse would carry on till he was 13 when he eventually told his father, he was afraid to tell anyone as he didn't want to be judged but others. No action was made as he didn't want to seek retribution as the person in question had also been abused as a kid. While in high school he carried on using cocaine, meth, LSD, opium and marijuana all while he was being bullied. When he was 17 he mother didn't let him leave the house due to his drug issues. 

He joined Linkin Park in 1999, three years after it was first formed. They quickly found success with their debut album. Even during this time Chester was still using drugs and it would led to him entering a rehab in 2006 after the breakdown of his first marriage. Chester was also struggling with an alcohol addiction, the he would state was so bad that he couldn't function and it was causing issues within the band. He eventually became sober as it was either the drink or death. He was awarded in 2013 for his support with sobriety and for helping fellow musicians that needed treatment. When the band released it's last album "One more light", Chester stated difficult he had found 2016 and that the following year was a better one. He went on to state that he become a better person from the start of the album to the end of it and that he as a lot stronger with a lust for life with a positive outlook. 

Two months earlier his dear friend Chris Cornell had taken his own life also by hanging, this may have been a downward spiral for Chester added to the grief that he was feeling. Also at the same time the band had released their latest album. On the 20th July 2017, Chester was found dead at his home in California by his housekeeper. His death had been ruled as suicide by hanging, at the scene there was a half-empty bottle of alcohol, but there were drugs in his system at the time he died.  

Throughout his career he was honest about his mental health and even stated that he hated life and didn't want have feelings. His used his mental health as inspiration for his songs and when asked about the song "Crawling" he said the it was written when he had a lack of control over his drug and alcohol abuse. Chester also worked hard to stay sober. Those around him noticed his struggles, Mike Shinoda, stated that he knew Chester had demons but he was also a fun-loving person. Chester also saw the issues himself and would discuss his issues to show that people weren't alone.

When he died he was only 42 and left behind him his wife Talinda and 6 children. His death effect so many people not only in the music industry but with those outside it to. Not long after his death she set up a new mental health campaign to help those that needed help. The 320 Campaign to Change Direction set out to change what we thing about mental health and how we respond to it. Help was made available for those that were suffering as well as their family's. There was also a concert put on in his memory, Linkin Park performed their famous songs with the help of a few guest stars, all proceeds made from the night went to mental health charity's. Chester's funeral took place nine days later at The South Coast Botanic Gardens in California, it was attended by close friends and family. Chester was cremated and his ashes were given to his wife Talinda. 

"We’re trying to remind ourselves that the demons who took you away from us were always part of the deal. After all, it was the way you sang about those demons that made everyone fall in love with you in the first place.” Mike Shinoda

If you or you know anybody that needs help, you are not alone. Below are some useful sites and numbers if they are needed. Remember, you are not alone!!

• https://giveanhour.org/changedirection/initiatives/320-changes-direction/
• https://www.changedirection.org/tag/320-changes-direction/

• www.samaritans.org
• 116 123 (free to call from within the UK and Ireland), 24 hours a day
• Email: jo@samaritans.org

• www.mind.org.uk
• InfoLine: 0300 123 3393 to call, or text 86463
• Email info@mind.org.uk

• www.youngminds.org.uk
• Parents helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Mon-Fri from 9.30am to 4pm, excluding bank holidays)
• YoungMinds Crisis Messenger: text YM to 85258 (available 24/7)