Mental Health doesn't discriminate

When the news broke about Chester Bennington, lead singer of Linkin Park - (a band, that no matter your music taste you will like at least one of their songs) had passed away following a reported suicide, I knew that I had to write this post.

I think everyone should write this post.

The thing is, mental health can and does affect anyone from any background, you can be young, old, rich, poor, ill or body healthy - it doesn't discriminate on your religion, your sexually and it doesn't care if you're world famous either. We need to remember this and we need to talk more about mental health - there is nothing to be ashamed of!

I fully expected to see some comments claiming that suicide is selfish - it's a really sad thing that when things like this happen, people are so quick to judge negatively within a heartbeat - probably, again, speaking without actually thinking before hand. You need to realise that someone may be rich in money, rich in friends but they may still feel alone in the world. I don't think it's selfish, I think it's heart breaking and I know that there needs to be more support for people.

I often wonder how 'famous' people actually cope with all the extra pressure put on them, always in the spotlight, not being able to make any mistakes without someone putting it in a newspaper publishing it to the world. I make mistakes all the time. I can tell you now - I don't want my children to be famous. I'm sure majority of famous people are happy but the fact you're not necessarily living a 'normal' life, as such must be really hard on your brain. I'm not saying for a second that this is why this has happened - of course not, that would be silly. But I am recognising that it must be an extra added stress.

Samaritan's suicide statistics from last year said the highest rate was in men age 45-49, as a wife to a lovely man, a sister to brothers and a mother of a young boy, this makes me worry even more. It makes me want to help in any way that I can, to encourage men to talk more about their feelings but how can I do that? How can we do that together?

To reach out to your doctor, a friend or family member is brave, there should be no shame!
 
Why don't we talk about mental health more? Men and women. Everyone. It is so sad that in 2017, we don't feel we can talk to each other about this there is no shame in needing help or needing to talk. I have a huge amount of respect for charities helping people such as Mind and Samaritans.

If you are feeling suicidal, talking to your friends or family can make a real difference, a step towards getting help you do deserve. If you don't feel like you can talk to anyone close to you then there are others you can talk to -

Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/ 0300 123 3393.

Samaritans - http://www.samaritans.org/ 116 123