Late Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington’s widow Talinda has reached out to former Creed frontman Scott Stapp to thank him for speaking about mental health issues in recent interviews. She wrote, “Thank U 4 speaking out about mental health in a interview. I invite u to look at my feed & see/join the #fuckdepression movement.” Stapp later responded, “We stand w/u in this fight!This illness is taking 2many lives &hurting 2 many families. Let’s create as much awareness as possible.”
Stapp discussed Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington in a new Oakland Press interview.
After struggling with his own psychological issues in recent years, the deaths of Cornell and Bennington hit Stapp “hard,” but he’s hopeful that they’ll also “start a conversation and people will begin to talk about the seriousness of mental health issues and begin to develop some more compassion and understanding and be more sympathetic when they see someone who is suffering with something that is making them act or behave out of character, or if they see a friend or family member who is starting to slip into a depression, they’ll react and be there for them and hopefully be there to help them get the help that they need to stay alive and return to themselves. There’s still a tremendous amount of stigma out there, and judgment and just ignorance and lack of understanding. We need to get past that so there are less deaths and better roads to recovery.”
He also told App, “Most people don’t understand,” Stapp said. “They look at someone in rock (who commits suicide) and they say, ‘They’re rich and famous, how can they kill themselves?’ You can have money but that’s not everything. Success isn’t everything.”
Talinda Bennington has also continued to communicate with fans dealing with suicidal thoughts and mental health issues on Twitter with the #FuckDepression hashtag. She also gave an update on the One More Light Foundation. If you are dealing with mental health issues, you can call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or enter their live chat.
@ScottStapp Thank U 4 speaking out about mental health in a interview.I invite u to look at my feed & see/join the #fuckdepression movement
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017
@TalindaB We stand w/u in this fight!This illness is taking 2many lives &hurting 2 many families. Let's create as much awareness as possible
— Scott Stapp (@ScottStapp) September 7, 2017
You have been a key member in forming the global LP fam. I'm here to bring us all to stand together against #fuckdepression in Chesters name
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 5, 2017
@digbyjim couple of my favorites #fuckdepression pic.twitter.com/KHFLdvB5WL
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 5, 2017
Sending out love to our LP family. I'm excited to see our unity against negativity and especially #fuckdepression #MakeChesterProud
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 5, 2017
Keep going. You have so much love & support. Your strength helps countless others.
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017
Every day I think of killing myself, it's been years. and I do not know why I have not yet done it, I'm so tired. but for now I'm here ..
— good goodbye (@clairalouise) September 5, 2017
LP family, we have another solider feeling down… let's show @clairaloius she is worthy and important .#fuckdepression #MakeChesterProud https://t.co/2F1Ec0PWxK
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017
I do not know how to thank you all for loving me, you are the best and greatest family in the world. Thank you ??and I'll keep fighting. ❤
— good goodbye (@clairalouise) September 6, 2017
LP fam-Look at the change we are making as a global loving community! #fuckdepression #MakeChesterProud https://t.co/r5xtJRFkcu
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017
It is such a daily struggle, on top of it i am a war veteran so my head (& sleep) is really messed up. So much pain, not enough love.
— Poe Eternal (Delia) (@PoeEternal) September 6, 2017
LP family- we need to let @PoeEternal she is needed & loved. Thank you for your service to the USA https://t.co/XzswvDJ0Ni
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017
You are loved more than you will ever know. You have a purpose in life. Please keep reaching out to others,you're making a difference
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017
Do u realize the impact that EACH of you are making to someone who's in need?Every comment to uplift another is lifesaving! #fuckdepression
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017
My husband loved & respected his fans.He saw the greatness in every single fan.This is why!I know he is watching us unite #MakeChesterProud
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017
I'm healing by all of this. I will never stop this movement. #fuckdepression
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017
I'm working hard on it. Stay tuned!
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017
You are the heros.
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017
I'm so sorry & can emphasize. Thank you for helping others!
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017
God, I miss my love
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017
We are in the process of forming the One More Light Foundation.
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017
#fuckdepression #MakeChesterProud pic.twitter.com/1RPKzMp5KV
— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 6, 2017