The news about Chester Bennington of Linkin Park committing suicide exploded since it happened last week. It was sad, unexpected and just tragic. He was 41 and if you listen to the lyrics of any song that was written by Bennington, he was really calling out for help.
I am so sick and tired of the fact that depression is not taken seriously, even to this day. I am glad to see that more awareness about depression and mental health is out there. The stigma has been broken a little, but still not enough.
This hits a raw nerve with me because I also suffer from depression. I don't respond to medication and it's really hard to connect with a therapist. I'm not suicidal, but my depression is bad and it's something I have to battle daily. By the way, not everyone who suffers from depression is suicidal. Unfortunately many are and they frequently take that route because they see it as the only way out. Please understand one thing. They are sick, not selfish..
I am quite sure most people who suffer from depression and who have suicidal thoughts have sought help. Unfortunately many antidepressants can worsen suicidal thoughts as counterintuitive as that sounds. It can happen.
I just want to add that one time when I was open about the fact that I suffer from depression, someone replied with a very hurtful remark. This individual said:
Quit whining. You could have it worse. You could be battling cancer..
I will never forget such an insensitive remark. I may not know what it is like to have cancer because I have never had it. I would never compare cancer to depression because I simply can't. But the seriousness of both illnesses are comparable. If neither are treated successfully, they are both just as deadly.
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