Men in the UK aged 20 to 49 are more likely to die from suicide than any other cause of death. I haven’t said much in public in the past when people like Chris Cornell and others took their lives. All I felt I’d have to offer was platitudes. Platitudes are all I’m offering now.
Seeing as 1 in 4 people in the UK experience a mental health problem each year it feels like we should be able to do better.
A few days ago Chester Bennington of Linkin Park killed himself at the age of 41. Like many, on the face of it, Chester was successful and had so much in his life but yet he struggled. There have been days where I’ve struggled on, powered by pure will alone. Yet I’d always make sure that everything on the surface looked fine. When people would ask how I was I’d say: “Yeah I’m great, thanks”.
Linkin Park released a new album this year called “One More Light”. Ever since the band got together they’ve been a voice for a pained generation, struggling on. Their latest release wasn’t received well by the rock community. Its style was such a departure from the band’s nu-metal roots. When I listened to it this morning I realised that Chester is still giving a pained generation a voice. This time his gift was to try and help a new pained generation. There’s a track on the album called “Heavy” and its lyrics particularly resonated with me:
“I don’t like my mind right now
Stacking up problems that are so unnecessary
Wish that I could slow things down
I wanna let go but there’s comfort in the panic
And I drive myself crazy
Thinking everything’s about me
Yeah, I drive myself crazy
’Cause I can’t escape the gravity”
If you feel like this then please, reach out to somebody. It’s never too late to talk and you’re stronger, and more loved, than you might feel right now.
In the UK, contact the Samaritans on 116 123.
In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1–800–273–8255.
In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14.