You Matter (1–800–273–8255)
I don’t have anything to bring to the conversation on suicide that hasn’t been expressed already, but I do not intend on remaining silent.
Today, Chris Cornell would have been 53. Almost exactly two months ago, he took his own life. Today, the news just broke that Chester Bennington, the lead singer of Linkin Park, took his life at only 41 years old.
The severity of suicide is something that is often downplayed or ridiculed. That needs to stop, for suicide is much more serious than people may think. Sure, those two men were very wealthy, accomplished, acclaimed and adored. The fact of the matter is no amount of money or success can make someone immune to it. For at the end of the day, that person is still a human being with emotions and suicide knows no race, gender, class, sexuality or creed.
It is important to understand that suicide is not a choice, suicide is a process. As someone who has gone through it numerous times, the actual act of suicide is the lowest point of a downward spiral. Even if you are able to survive the downward spiral, it changes you as a person, for while you are able to conquer it, it never is truly vanquished. There are people who deal with that process every single day; hence Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington.
The unfortunate truth is that there is no cure for suicide, or at least it is ambiguous. It is more complicated than telling a friend to “get some help” yet simultaneously as simple as telling a random stranger to “take care.” However this does not mean that it cannot be beaten. Everyone deals with pain in their own ways, but when someone is suicidal, it does not have to be something one has to endure alone. As human beings, we underestimate just how much we can influence one another and life can be so hectic that we can forget one crucial element to our existence; love.
Recently, society has endured a lot of hatred. There is so much negativity in the world that we forget to love one another while we are still here. It is only in death that we truly begin to show our appreciation for someone because we take for granted the time we have with them. For people going through rough times it is impossible to completely relate to their issues, but instead of saying “I get you” say “I’m with you.”
A day after Chris Cornell passed away, I listened to my local rock station which had been paying tribute to his memory all day. A DJ signed on for the evening and offered some simple, yet effective words:
“Life is a precious thing but there are people who struggle with that thought. That’s why it’s important to show the people you care about love. If you know someone who is going through a rough time tell them how much you care about them and show them that love.”
Both Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington left behind families and fans who love them and will miss them every day. Do not let their legacies die with them.
So I say to you reading this wherever you may be, I’m with you. Your life is worth it. Your life matters.
It pains me to write this, given the circumstances. In the end, I hope that it makes a difference.
P.S: In the title of this piece is the number for suicide hotline, because there are wonderful human beings out there who are dedicated to being there for you and to reassure you are not alone.
